What about us?

1

Molly sat staring at the shell of the man who had been returned to her. Battered, bruised, grieving and back in that dark place.

She pushed a coffee across the table although the caffeine was probably the last thing he needed in the middle of another long sleepless night.

Elvis. What could she say about Elvis. He'd become  part of their family, life was strange without him, even for Molly. She'd held them both as they cried. They cried endlessly, together. Neither of them had returned from Nepal the same people. Georgie had taken up residence with them, barely able to be around anything to do with their old life, her and Elvis' life together was over. Cut short in the most painful way. He was gone.

Molly ran her fingers over his swollen brow. "You should let me clean this" he pulled his head away "It's nothing" he pushed the chair back giving her a fright as he strode towards the front door.

"Where you going?" She called after him "Out!"
She fought back tears for the man she loved. The man he used to be. This was so much worse than before. Georgie passed her on the stairs, it seemed the kitchen was a revolving door for the grieving.

"He just needs some space Mol" and there it was. The advice that told Molly that Georgie knew what her husband needed better than she did. She tried to push irrational thoughts about the two of them out of her mind. But in the few weeks since they'd been home, the bond was evident. And it didn't seem to include Molly.

He limped through the front door, hours later as she got ready for her shift. She was already late, unable to get herself moving until he was home. She needed to know he was okay.
She pulled out the footstool "Sit" she ordered. To her surprise he actually did it.

She pulled off his boots, noting the swelling that came up in his leg whenever he'd over done it. "you know your meant to wear your running shoes. Clues in the name - running shoes - for running"

"It wasn't planned. I just needed to clear my head, running helps"

She couldn't say fairer than that. She wrapped an ice pack around the swelling, massaging gently up and down his leg. He closed his eyes as if he was enjoying it so she continued upwards, they hadn't even looked at each other intimately since he'd come home and she understood why. But they'd never get their baby this way. His hand stopped her "Hadn't you best be going?" His rejection hurt her "I s'pose"

His wounded wife, she needed him too. He cupped her cheek, pulling her into him "I'm sorry" he said in barely a whisper. "It's okay Charles. Take all the time you need, I love you"

Georgie cleared her throat in the doorway "Sorry guys. Boss do you have a minute? Can we go for a walk?"

He gave Molly a small, apologetic smile as he rose to his feet "Listen why don't you guys talk here. I'm going to work now so you'll have privacy. He's limping George, he needs some rest" he realised she was right. His dear Molly always knew what he needed even if he didn't.

"How does that sound Lane? I'll only slow you down"

She nodded "Okay. I'll go and get us some coffees"

Molly wrapped her arms around his torso, he was so much thinner than usual. Her heart sank at the thought of all the hard work that had been undone. All that time they spent fighting the demons in his head for them to return just like that. For those demons to come between them once again.

"I'll be back late. Make sure you both eat please, I'll be checking!"

He nuzzled his face into her neck, he was vulnerable and child like and he melted her heart. "Take it easy okay baby" she ran a soft finger across his forehead "I love you so much"
He buried his face back into his safe place "Ditto. Don't work too hard"

She kissed him until her lips were numb. He wouldn't be far from her thoughts, she knew that much. They had made so many plans for his return home. According to him Nepal was his last tour, they'd concentrate on starting a family, and he'd find a job that meant he never had to work away ever again. She'd never have to be scared to receive that knock on the door.

She'd saved tirelessly whilst he was gone, so he could have a career break. She felt he deserved some time to himself before he started looking for something new. She also knew that the army wouldn't let him go easily, after all he was one of the best officers around Beck had told her. Although she wondered if he was still held in such esteem since Elvis' death. He still maintained it was his fault, he shouted it every time he slept.

She rested her forehead against the steering wheel in the packed car park of the hospital. Work never really ended for her at the moment, there was no rest  and not much sleep to be had living with two soldiers who were grieving and a husband with crippling PTSD. They'd been here before, she had no doubt they'd get through it, in time. All they needed was time.

She painted on the smile her colleagues were used too. To them she had an idyllic life. What wasn't to be happy about when you had a handsome husband who adored you, a beautiful home, your dream job and friends that you loved dearly. If only they knew just how bad things had been since he came home - not falling pregnant had become the least of her worries because her husband hadn't really come home. She lost him when Elvis was blown off that roof.