What about us?

9

Charles waited patiently by the band stand. The place where he had promised her forever on their wedding day. He doubted very much she would come, Molly was stubborn and would surely make him work a little harder.

It had taken military planning to execute his plan. Beth had taken on all the leg work (literally) by prepping a picnic and helping the poor sod down onto the bloody blanket.

"How the fuck will I get back up?" She laughed at the humour in his voice "You're a handsome lad Charles, I'm sure you'd manage to talk some poor unsuspecting lady into lending you a hand"

He looked panicked "If she doesn't come then you call me and I'll be right back. And for heavens sake don't move off that blanket"

"She will come won't she?" She wasn't used to this side of Charles. This Charles was full of self doubt and a vulnerability she hadn't realised until now. Maybe she'd taken her eye off the ball are far as her son was concerned. He needed reassuring all of the time that things would be okay, it was new to her. Moments like this reminded her that the bravado of 'Captain James' was just that, bravado. A mask to hide behind. Once that was stripped away, he was just like everyone else, he'd hurt and suffered and needed help.

"Yes Charles. I know she'll be here. Now relax will you, sweat patches aren't attractive even with your face".

She gave him a reassuring squeeze on the shoulder "Good luck" she smiled. He smiled back nervously and she wanted to scoop him up even though he was twice the size of her. "You'll be okay Charles. I know you will" she walked away with a belly full of trepidation, inwardly willing Molly to end his suffering.

-OG-

She was breathtaking. A vision of beauty in a floaty white dress with her chestnut brown hair falling in soft waves blowing softly in the breeze around her shoulders. He smiled to himself, this was progress surely.

He attempted unsuccessfully to get up despite Beth's warnings. "You okay down there?" They both giggled "No Miss Molly, it would appear that I'm not"
"Well I'll join you then but who's gonna order the crane to get us both up again" she flicked her eyes towards her rounded stomach. Laughter broke out between them  "Careful Charlie, your face might crack". She leaned forward, kissing the top of his head, sending a warmth he hadn't realised he'd missed through his body before dropping down heavily in front of him. Her hand automatically resting protectively on his bad leg.

"You cheeky mare!" He laughed "Okay maybe I should have thought this through a little more" she smiled coyly "It's a lovely thought though. Thank you" He was tempted to take her hand but didn't want to chance his luck.

"You look beautiful" "you don't look to shabby yourself" they shared a smile at those words. Her heart warmed to the memory of those exact words they had shared with each other on their wedding day. "Thank you for coming. I thought after yesterday that you'd leave me high and dry"

She lowered her head "I came to apologise. I'm sorry I treated you so badly, I took it out on you and there's no excuse for that"

"It's okay, I understand how difficult it was. I suppose after everything I've done, I deserved it. Was that the only reason you came?" He was anxious for her reply. This had to be a good sign that things were going in the right direction.

"Couldn't leave my crippled husband stranded in a park now could I? But no, you never deserve to be treated that way. Especially not by me. I bought you a present to say sorry" She handed him the neatly wrapped gift of his famous coffee capsules.