What about us?

12 Epilogue

2 years later

Molly put the finishing touches to the buffet whilst she watched Charles and Sam battle with the marquis in the garden. He'd grumble when she insisted on him putting it up but the last thing she needed was a two year old with sunstroke.

Her mum had always told her how quickly time goes when you had kids, one minute they were newborns, the next minute they were grown up and sodding off to the army. It was only now that she had her own that she realised just how true that was. Olivia was turning two but it only felt like yesterday that she had welcomed her into the world.

She smiled to herself as the party guests piled into the garden. Bella had her own baby now. Molly was so happy to be a part of her niece's life and for Olivia to know her cousin. It had been touch and go for awhile after Belinda had come begging but she eventually managed to find it in her heart to forgive her parents for letting her down over the years. Being a mum had changed her outlook on absolutely everything. It wasn't perfect between them, but they were on the right road.

"You're little bleeders might gonna wreck the place" Charles said with a laugh as he slipped his arms around her shoulders.

Molly giggled "Wouldn't be a kids party without a shit load of mess and a headache at the end"

He smiled happily, she was in her element. In the two years since Olivia had come into their lives they'd gone from strength to strength, she was an amazing mother to both of his children despite Sam reaching a testing age. She was as patient and loving as she always had been with him.

That one last tour he thought he needed, turns out he didn't. He was finally happy at home. He was settled. A desk job within the army is exactly what he'd wanted it turned out. It had been good for him.

He barely had a limp at all these days, unless you knew he'd been so badly injured you probably wouldn't even notice. He kept his promise and still attended therapy every week, sometimes twice if he needed too. It was an on going battle but he'd learnt how to have some control over it. He recognised his triggers and dealt with them accordingly.

"Are they here yet? Can't wait to see the baby"
Charles opened the front door "great timing, here..."
Georgie plonked baby Ellie in his arms "She's covered in sick and there's probably a poonami in there too" She announced as she unloaded the pram from the boot.

Bones thrust his hand towards Charles, shaking his firmly "Nice to see you mate. I guess I'm on shit clean up duty then George?"

"Charming" she said as she chucked the nappy bag at him "Remember its a kids party so keep it clean McClyde"

"Christ, I never anticipated how much crap I'd need to bring for a road trip with a new born" Georgie chuckled "Anyway, get me to the buffet I'm starved"

Molly smiled at Georgie as she made her way down the corridor towards her "You've made it!! Now let me get my hands on that baby" they hugged each other tightly, both grateful to have their friend back.

Another thing that Molly's outlook had changed on was Georgie. It had broken her heart that day in the rehabilitation centre to see how much Georgie was suffering without Elvis. The more she thought about it, the more she understood exactly what had happened between the two of them. How they'd come to feel the way they did. And she forgave her as she did Charles. It's what Elvis would have wanted.

"Kids parties eh? This is fuc... bloody different" Bones said sarcastically as he sipped on a beer with Charles.

"Well I for one never would have envisioned us being friends and attending children's parties either but stranger things have happened. Always thought of you as an out of control lunatic"

Bones nodded in agreement "I'd make you right"

They'd come full circle, Molly and Georgie, Georgie and Charles, and now Charles and Bones.

"Kids really do change everything don't they?" Georgie whispered as Ellie fell asleep on her chest.

"They heal the soul" smiled Molly.

-OG-