Chapter 3

The Journey Begins

2230 – Hereford, UK

Georgie was sat at the dressing table in their bedroom thoughtfully running a brush through her hair, smiling at Elvis' continued delight in his Father's Day celebration. He was going on and on as he turned the bedcovers back.

"I was on tour when Laura took her first steps. I missed all of 'at."

"Danny will still need to hold on but he's gonna be a traveler, I just know it." Georgie said.

"Affirmative babe. If crawlin is any indication, we'll "ave to put up speed bumps," he said laughing.

"Ohh he does take off across the floor. He's got ants in his pants like you do," she said catching his reaction in the mirror.

Elvis smiled at his indictment. "He'll be ready for fitness trials in no time!"

"Might be awhile there Elvis," she said completely amused with her husband's playful aspirations. He chuckled and raked his dark fringe back, but when he plopped on the bed the hair splayed into his eyes again.

"Good that Hawthorne authorized your leave so quickly." She said padding to the bed.

"Indeed. I simply cannot 'ave her travelin back to London alone George."

"No. I agree, one hundred percently, yeah."

"I reckon I can get some reports done whilst we're rolling and I do intend to make the acquaintance of a one, Desmond Pyle once Laura is settled."

Georgie swung her head around. "Did ya make contact with him already?"

"Nope."

"Planning on taking his door down with a dynamic hammer?" she asked with a dramatic arch of her brows.

"That was plan A….initially…"

"What's plan B?" she asked giving him a look.

"Absolute diplomacy," he answered with an upward tilt of the chin.

"Do ya reckon he knows you're military?" she said stretching her legs under the covers.

"No clue. I do not know if Deb told him told him anything about me. She almost had a seizure when I asked for his number."

"Ridiculous!"

"No doubt Rrrrrreginald had a few things to say on by behalf."

"I don't understand why she just didn't tell ya in the first place."

"I guarantee if Laura had busted the brat's snoot she'd a been served papers," he said punching his pillow into a heap. "Deb would 'ave been on my doorstep then."

Xxxxx

0600 –

Laura had her canvas ruck sack parked at the front door. When Elvis began to descend the stairs he paused buttoning his shirt sleeves when he caught sight of it. Quick steps continued down as he chuckled to himself. She does fancy your military side…. He shrugged nonchalantly, reckoning that was not so bad. Laura would be organized and respectful and know how to handle herself. If she ever does decide to serve he will not discourage her. He knows Debbie will. She had already said as much.

"Daddy!" Laura proclaimed loudly as he stepped in the kitchen. "I still have some Fruit Loops left, do you fancy some?" she asked tapping the cereal box on the table.

Elvis smiled and looked over at Georgie and said, "Sure. Thank you for sharing."

"Daniel likes them as well. Do ya reckon he sees the colors instead of his usual o's?" Laura said filling Elvis' bowl to the very top.

"Yeah. He sees colors and they taste different."

Laura proceeded to pour milk onto the cereal and several of the bright colored o's spilled over onto the table. She grabbed at them and put them on Daniel's tray. The baby immediately pinched each one into his mouth until they were gone.

"See?! He really likes them!"

Elvis watched wide-eyed with a stupid grin on his face.

"Runs in the family…" Georgie deadpanned.

Elvis almost choked on his first spoonful.

"You want some Georgie?" Laura asked tilting the box in her direction.

"Well, maybe a few, remember you wanted to take some with ya to snack on."

"Oh, there's plenty," Laura said rustling the package and pouring some out.

"One big 'appy family," Elvis said as he shoveled another spoonful into his mouth.

"Ya got milk on your chin," Georgie said to him, swiping it away with her finger.

"Thanks mum," he cheeked.

Laura giggled and lifted her bowl to drink the remnants of milk down. Wiping her mouth with the back of her hand she said to Georgie, "I wish you and Daniel could come with us!"

"Awwww, not this time honey. I have to work and take Daniel to Iris," Georgie said retrieving a zip bag to stow Laura's snacks. "Don't forget you have summer holiday with us!"

"Yeah! And I'll be able to bring Newton!"

"Course you can honey." Georgie said, touching Laura gently on the head.

"Daddy, Newton could run in the garden!"

"He's an indoor cat though, yeah?"

"Yes, but Dalton said his nan's cat has a leash! Like a dog! Could I get one for him? Please!?

The adults exchanged glances. "What say we check it out when ya come for holiday?" Elvis said.

"Promise daddy?"

"Promise."

"Right. Now you two best shake a leg," Georgie said wiping Daniel's face and hands with a damp cloth.

Elvis examined his watch. "Ya 'ave everything packed angel?"

"Yes daddy. My kit is at the door," Laura said swinging off the chair.

"I saw 'at. Good work."

Laura smiled brightly and watched Georgie lift Daniel from the high chair. "Bye bye baby brother. You be good. Next time you'll be climbing trees!"

"Oh my God," Georgie whispered, giving Elvis a distraught look.

"You'll need to climb when daddy builds our tree house!" Laura added, giggling at Daniel's litany of babble.

"Had we decided on 'at?" Elvis asked Georgie.

"Shhh," she responded curtly and moved in closer to him. "No! Then we'll have a cat stuck up on tree limbs!"

"Now don't worry. I do 'ave climbing gear," he said and pressed his lips together to keep from laughing when she gave him the Lane eye roll. "One big 'appy family," he said kissing her sweetly on the cheek.