We'll Always Have Holby : part 25
We'll Always Have Holby
Part 1 ~ Part 2 ~ Part 3 ~ Part 4 ~ Part 5 ~ Part 6 ~ Part 7 ~ Part 8 ~ Part 9 ~ Part 10 ~ Part 11 ~ Part 12
Part 13 ~ Part 14 ~ Part 15 ~ Part 16 ~ Part 17 ~ Part 18 ~ Part 19 ~ Part 20 ~ Part 21 ~ Part 22 ~ Part 23 ~ Part 24
It was almost eleven when Maggie walked into the kitchen, running a hand through her ruffled bed hair. Charlie handed her a mug of coffee that he'd begun to make as soon as he'd heard her moving about upstairs.
"What?" she asked when she noticed he was smiling at her.
"Nothing."
"Charlie," she warned playfully.
"You look gorgeous."
She glanced down at yesterday's clothes, crumpled from having slept in them, and then looked up at him.
"You're still gorgeous."
"You need your eyes testing." She put the mug down before continuing. "Thank you."
"For what?" he asked, genuinely puzzled.
"Last night."
"I didn't do anything. Just listened."
"I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner."
"I wish you had," he sighed, "but I think I understand why you didn't."
"You're just saying that."
He smiled. "Maybe. But I'll get there."
Maggie walked over to him, slipping her arms around his waist. "I'm so sorry."
"It's not your fault. None of this is your fault."
"Except maybe the whole lies and secrecy thing," she quipped.
"Last night, you got me thinking. If it were me, if our positions were reversed... Would I tell you?"
"And would you?"
He hesitated. "I don't know."
"Not really what we should be doing, is it?"
"Not really," he laughed.
"So we make a pact. We get over this self-sufficient thing we both have going on and we actually talk to each other."
"Deal."
"Didn't realise how out of practice I was at this whole... thing," she said. "Far too much time on my own."
"Tell me about it."
"We're going to make this work, OK?" Maggie declared, "So..."
He laughed softly and kissed her.
"I should go shower and change. Louis should be released today."
"He snuck out this morning."
"What?"
"I went to see him first thing and he wasn't there. Turns out he snuck out to see Jade."
"So are they...?" she asked hopefully. When he smiled and nodded she kissed him in celebration.
"What was that for?" he asked.
"Today we sort our lives out."
"Wasn't aware they needed sorting."
"Come on. We've got some stuff to do before we get to the hospital."
"Like what?" he asked, but she just grinned and walked away. "Maggie?"
"You'll have to wait and find out," she called from the stairs. "Or try and make me if you think you can..."
That decided it. He left the kitchen, following her up to the bathroom...
~~
Maggie and Charlie walked hand in hand down the corridor, stopping outside Louis' room as they heard the giggles. Looking through the window they saw Jade curled up on the bed with Louis, the pair of them looking through Baz's journals.
"Think we can safely say they're back on then," Maggie said, leaning back against his chest.
Charlie put his arms around her waist, holding her close. "Want to interrupt them?"
"Think we should?"
"He should know."
"Why?" she asked suddenly.
"I'm sorry?"
"Why should he know? Why should anyone know?"
"Maggie..."
"I have an idea," she smiled.
~~
Louis was finally discharged and had never been more grateful to be home. Jade was invited around for dinner and the four of them enjoyed the simple things that a meal with those you love could bring. When Louis asked what he'd missed during his stay at Holby Maggie and Charlie looked at each other, smiled almost conspiratorially, and said nothing. Any suspicion Louis may have had was quickly distracted when Charlie asked Jade if she was spending the night.
~~
"I can't believe you," Maggie said as she climbed into bed. "Letting your son's girlfriend stay over."
"Not really," he dismissed. "He's injured and in pain."
"You sneak!" she laughed, grabbing a pillow and hitting him with it.
In the resulting fight she was pinned to the mattress, still giggling as he kissed her.
"Your son and his girlfriend are across the hall," she muttered.
"Better keep the noise down then..."
~~
"Oh that's not right," Jade muttered as she came away from the door.
"What?" Louis asked.
"Believe me, you don't want to know."
"You look cute in my shirt."
"Typical boy," she sighed, rolling her eyes.
"Can't believe Dad let you stay."
"Reckon they're up to something," she said.
"Who?"
"Your dad and Maggie, idiot," she chided. "Shift over."
As Louis made room for her on the bed, keeping her on his good side, he asked, "What are you on about?"
"Did it completely throw you?" she asked. "He asked if I was staying right at the time you asked what they'd been up to. They're keeping something from you."
"Like what?"
"Dunno," Jade said. "Maybe she's pregnant."
"Oh that's just wrong," Louis said. "That's gross. They're... old!"
Jade sniggered. "Well it's not impossible given what I just..."
She stopped but he worked out what she'd been listening to and pulled a face. "Oh thanks, Jade. Really. Thanks."
"I think it's sweet!"
"Sweet?"
"Yeah. I hope we're like that. Still into each other when we're their age."
"So you see us being together years down the line?"
"Don't you?" she asked.
He put his arm around her, letting her settle on his shoulder while he propped up his bad one. "It's like Mum said. Tomorrow takes care of itself. You need to hang on today to everything that matters to you because it could be taken away from you at any moment."
"Wish I'd met her."
"Yeah, me too."
~~
The Fairhead men were up first and made a joint decision that their women deserved to have breakfast ready and waiting for them. As they began preparation, Louis stalled a few times before turning to his father.
"Jade mentioned something last night... Got me thinking."
"About what?" Charlie asked, dropping some more bacon into the pan.
"There's something going on between you and Maggie, isn't there?"
"I assume you're talking about something different?"
"Is she pregnant?"
Charlie was so stunned that he didn't realise how close his hand was to the pan until it burnt him. "Where'd you get that idea from?"
"I guess it'd be OK if she was, I mean..."
"As far as I know, she's not," Charlie said quickly, moving to the sink and running his hand under a stream of cold water. "Why did you think she was?"
"You two are up to something."
"And you think that means Maggie's pregnant? Mate, we're a bit old for that."
"You might be..." Louis quipped. "So what's going on then?"
"Ah, that's for us to know," Charlie replied.
"There is something going on though?"
He nodded, inspecting his hand. "You'll find out soon enough."
"Hey, thanks for letting Jade stay over."
"Yeah, well..."
"Maggie's idea?"
"Mainly," Charlie admitted. "But... You're sixteen. I'd rather..."
"Not know?" Louis interrupted. "You and me both."
"What?"
"Never mind..."
For a moment there was silence between the two men, broken only by the sound of footsteps coming from the stairs. Before it was revealed which of the women it was, Louis walked past his father, as he did so quietly muttering something which put a smile on Charlie's face that wouldn't shift.
~~
Tess hurried across the road before the lights changed again, greeting Charlie with a hug. "So what's the big surprise?" she asked.
"Surprise?"
"This thing for Maggie?"
"Oh. Yes. Right. That."
"What's going on?"
"I'll tell you when we get there," he said, beginning to walk up the street.
"Enjoying your break then?"
"Just what we needed," he smiled. "Time to ourselves. After everything..."
Tess said nothing. Just over a month ago Maggie had turned up on her doorstep with a couple of bottles of wine, and told her friend everything. There had been tears and hugs and everything else that had come with a good, strong friendship.
"Missing me?" he asked.
"Counting down the days until you're back," she smiled. "Which is why you should feel honoured that I am giving up my day off for... whatever it is that you have planned."
"It'll be worth it."
Tess' eyes narrowed. "Is this something to do with wedding plans?" she asked.
"Why'd you ask that?"
"Because this is the way to the Registry Office."
"You're one smart woman," he smiled in reply.
"You're finally setting a date," she declared. "So why do you need me?"
"I want your opinion on something," he said as they turned the final corner.
"What?"
"You'll see."
~~
"That was Maggie," Jade said as she hung up. "She wants us to meet her in town."
"When?" Louis asked, fumbling with his shirt collar.
"Now."
"We can't. You've got your interview," he pointed out.
"It's not for a little while yet. She said she'll drop us off afterwards."
"What's going on?"
"Dunno," Jade replied, handing him his jacket. "Something about a present for your dad?"
"It's not his birthday."
"I'm just the messenger," she laughed. "Very nice," she the declared as he pulled his jacket on.
"Don't see why I need to get dressed up."
"I told you. It's all about creating the right image. This art college is pretty hard to get into, and they're interested in every aspect of my life. So I want them to see that I have a fantastic boyfriend, who scrubs up well, who's going to support me in my chosen career."
"Fine," he sighed. "Come on then."
~~
Every time Tess asked Charlie what was going on she was told that she'd find out. Eventually a woman came over and spoke to him in hushed tones, before showing them into a room.
"What do you think?" he asked.
"It's lovely. But you really didn't need my opinion on which room to choose."
"There's a bit more to it than that," he said.
Tess looked around her, taking in the setting for a moment, then the penny dropped. Why he'd asked her to dress up. Why he was in a suit. "You're kidding," she said, her face breaking into a grin.
Before Charlie could answer, the door opened and Jade shoved Louis into the room, Joanne not far behind them.
"What are you doing here, Dad?" Louis asked. "Where's Maggie?"
"Being fashionably late," Jo quipped.
"Your father and Maggie have been somewhat devious," Tess said.
"Well, if you all weren't so easy to fool," Jade pointed out.
"Fool about what?" Louis asked, still not getting it. "Dad?"
Charlie didn't respond; his attention was firmly fixed on the woman who'd just walked into the room. Holding Lana's hand, Maggie met Charlie's gaze and smiled. Louis looked from one to the other, finally getting it.
"You knew?" he asked, turning to Jade.
"Maggie told me last night. She needed me to get you here."
"Your interview..."
"You didn't think it a bit weird that the college called me at six in the evening, asking me to come in the following day?"
"I didn't realise that my father had it in him to be so devious," Louis said, turning to face him.
"I'll make it up to you," Charlie said.
"How?"
"I need a best man."
~~
When everyone had finally settled, they began. Louis couldn't stop grinning as he took his place beside his father, the rings feeling heavy and important in his pocket. Tess was drafted in as Matron of Honour, while Jade sat with Jo and Lana, keeping the young girl entertained whenever she looked ready to declare this as boring and wanting Nana to come and play.
"We are here today to join Charles and Margaret in matrimony," the celebrant began. "Marriage is the deepest commitment two people can make to each other. It requires honesty, openness, a willingness to share every aspect of your life with the other. But most of all it requires love.
"We stand here today to share in that love, to celebrate the comittment that Charles and Maggie..."
The two people who were the subject of this speech weren't paying attention. They were lost in each other.
~~
The ceremony over, rings and vows exchanged, Louis borrowed Jade's phone as she took pictures. He hung back, getting the number from the operator, but before he could make the second call Maggie came over.
"You OK?" she asked.
"Fine. Yes, why wouldn't I be?"
"You've been quiet."
"What?"
"You've not said anything."
"Congratulations?" he offered.
"Are you OK with this?" she asked, suddenly nervous.
"Why wouldn't I be?"
"I'm sorry we didn't tell you, it's just... We wanted to do it quickly, our way."
"Maggie, it's fine. Really," Louis said. "I'm pleased for you both. Look, I'll be back in a second for the family snaps we both know Dad'll want. Just need to make a quick call."
He left the room without another word. Maggie was in half a mind to go after him, but was startled by someone putting their hand on their arm.
"Mum?" Jo said. "You OK?"
"Fine," she smiled. "Thank you for coming."
"Are you kidding me? It's your wedding day. Of course, had I actually known, you'd have gotten a decent present."
"That's precisely why we didn't tell anyone. All we wanted were our closest friends and family. And no fuss."
"Mum, you gotta have fuss!"
Maggie glanced over at Charlie, engaged deep in conversation with Tess. "Not really," she sighed, her thumb running over the new band on her ring finger.
"You know, when you said you wanted a girly day out, I had visions of pampering, of shopping," Jo complained.
Maggie rolled her eyes.
"This is way better."
There was a small hand tugging at the hem of her skirt, and Maggie looked down at the toothy grin of her granddaughter. In one fluid movement she bent down and picked her up.
"Come on, sweetheart," she said, tapping her finger on the young girl's nose. "Let's go see granddad."
Hearing his new title from across the room, Charlie turned to greet them. "I don't think I like this granddad business," he said.
"Get used to it," Maggie quipped, standing next to him so Jade could take a picture. "Part of this deal."
"I can still get out of it," he quipped. "Ink's barely dry."
"You just try..."
"Wouldn't change a thing for the world," he said quietly, turning to face her and kissing her gently.
The digital camera clicked away, capturing a variety of natural shots, broken only when Louis returned, slipping Jade's phone back into her bag.
"Sorted," he replied.
"Fantastic. I'll let you do the honours."
"Do what honours?" Maggie asked.
"...Call it a wedding present from me and Jade."
"Call what a present?"
~~
It was mid-morning when she woke, still enveloped in the soft mattress. There was something about hotel beds that made them more inviting than your own. Especially when someone else was paying. As she turned over she saw he was already awake, looking at her.
"What?" she asked.
"No nightmares," he remarked.
"Not enough sleep for bad dreams," she quipped with a sly grin. "But no, no nightmares."
"Happy?"
She shook her head slightly. "Better."
She ran a hand down his cheek, smiling as he took it - her left in his right - and kissed it.
"Here's looking at you, kid," he quoted, and once again she laughed until they kissed.
~fin~
Part 1 ~ Part 2 ~ Part 3 ~ Part 4 ~ Part 5 ~ Part 6 ~ Part 7 ~ Part 8 ~ Part 9 ~ Part 10 ~ Part 11 ~ Part 12
Part 13 ~ Part 14 ~ Part 15 ~ Part 16 ~ Part 17 ~ Part 18 ~ Part 19 ~ Part 20 ~ Part 21 ~ Part 22 ~ Part 23 ~ Part 24
It was almost eleven when Maggie walked into the kitchen, running a hand through her ruffled bed hair. Charlie handed her a mug of coffee that he'd begun to make as soon as he'd heard her moving about upstairs.
"What?" she asked when she noticed he was smiling at her.
"Nothing."
"Charlie," she warned playfully.
"You look gorgeous."
She glanced down at yesterday's clothes, crumpled from having slept in them, and then looked up at him.
"You're still gorgeous."
"You need your eyes testing." She put the mug down before continuing. "Thank you."
"For what?" he asked, genuinely puzzled.
"Last night."
"I didn't do anything. Just listened."
"I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner."
"I wish you had," he sighed, "but I think I understand why you didn't."
"You're just saying that."
He smiled. "Maybe. But I'll get there."
Maggie walked over to him, slipping her arms around his waist. "I'm so sorry."
"It's not your fault. None of this is your fault."
"Except maybe the whole lies and secrecy thing," she quipped.
"Last night, you got me thinking. If it were me, if our positions were reversed... Would I tell you?"
"And would you?"
He hesitated. "I don't know."
"Not really what we should be doing, is it?"
"Not really," he laughed.
"So we make a pact. We get over this self-sufficient thing we both have going on and we actually talk to each other."
"Deal."
"Didn't realise how out of practice I was at this whole... thing," she said. "Far too much time on my own."
"Tell me about it."
"We're going to make this work, OK?" Maggie declared, "So..."
He laughed softly and kissed her.
"I should go shower and change. Louis should be released today."
"He snuck out this morning."
"What?"
"I went to see him first thing and he wasn't there. Turns out he snuck out to see Jade."
"So are they...?" she asked hopefully. When he smiled and nodded she kissed him in celebration.
"What was that for?" he asked.
"Today we sort our lives out."
"Wasn't aware they needed sorting."
"Come on. We've got some stuff to do before we get to the hospital."
"Like what?" he asked, but she just grinned and walked away. "Maggie?"
"You'll have to wait and find out," she called from the stairs. "Or try and make me if you think you can..."
That decided it. He left the kitchen, following her up to the bathroom...
~~
Maggie and Charlie walked hand in hand down the corridor, stopping outside Louis' room as they heard the giggles. Looking through the window they saw Jade curled up on the bed with Louis, the pair of them looking through Baz's journals.
"Think we can safely say they're back on then," Maggie said, leaning back against his chest.
Charlie put his arms around her waist, holding her close. "Want to interrupt them?"
"Think we should?"
"He should know."
"Why?" she asked suddenly.
"I'm sorry?"
"Why should he know? Why should anyone know?"
"Maggie..."
"I have an idea," she smiled.
~~
Louis was finally discharged and had never been more grateful to be home. Jade was invited around for dinner and the four of them enjoyed the simple things that a meal with those you love could bring. When Louis asked what he'd missed during his stay at Holby Maggie and Charlie looked at each other, smiled almost conspiratorially, and said nothing. Any suspicion Louis may have had was quickly distracted when Charlie asked Jade if she was spending the night.
~~
"I can't believe you," Maggie said as she climbed into bed. "Letting your son's girlfriend stay over."
"Not really," he dismissed. "He's injured and in pain."
"You sneak!" she laughed, grabbing a pillow and hitting him with it.
In the resulting fight she was pinned to the mattress, still giggling as he kissed her.
"Your son and his girlfriend are across the hall," she muttered.
"Better keep the noise down then..."
~~
"Oh that's not right," Jade muttered as she came away from the door.
"What?" Louis asked.
"Believe me, you don't want to know."
"You look cute in my shirt."
"Typical boy," she sighed, rolling her eyes.
"Can't believe Dad let you stay."
"Reckon they're up to something," she said.
"Who?"
"Your dad and Maggie, idiot," she chided. "Shift over."
As Louis made room for her on the bed, keeping her on his good side, he asked, "What are you on about?"
"Did it completely throw you?" she asked. "He asked if I was staying right at the time you asked what they'd been up to. They're keeping something from you."
"Like what?"
"Dunno," Jade said. "Maybe she's pregnant."
"Oh that's just wrong," Louis said. "That's gross. They're... old!"
Jade sniggered. "Well it's not impossible given what I just..."
She stopped but he worked out what she'd been listening to and pulled a face. "Oh thanks, Jade. Really. Thanks."
"I think it's sweet!"
"Sweet?"
"Yeah. I hope we're like that. Still into each other when we're their age."
"So you see us being together years down the line?"
"Don't you?" she asked.
He put his arm around her, letting her settle on his shoulder while he propped up his bad one. "It's like Mum said. Tomorrow takes care of itself. You need to hang on today to everything that matters to you because it could be taken away from you at any moment."
"Wish I'd met her."
"Yeah, me too."
~~
The Fairhead men were up first and made a joint decision that their women deserved to have breakfast ready and waiting for them. As they began preparation, Louis stalled a few times before turning to his father.
"Jade mentioned something last night... Got me thinking."
"About what?" Charlie asked, dropping some more bacon into the pan.
"There's something going on between you and Maggie, isn't there?"
"I assume you're talking about something different?"
"Is she pregnant?"
Charlie was so stunned that he didn't realise how close his hand was to the pan until it burnt him. "Where'd you get that idea from?"
"I guess it'd be OK if she was, I mean..."
"As far as I know, she's not," Charlie said quickly, moving to the sink and running his hand under a stream of cold water. "Why did you think she was?"
"You two are up to something."
"And you think that means Maggie's pregnant? Mate, we're a bit old for that."
"You might be..." Louis quipped. "So what's going on then?"
"Ah, that's for us to know," Charlie replied.
"There is something going on though?"
He nodded, inspecting his hand. "You'll find out soon enough."
"Hey, thanks for letting Jade stay over."
"Yeah, well..."
"Maggie's idea?"
"Mainly," Charlie admitted. "But... You're sixteen. I'd rather..."
"Not know?" Louis interrupted. "You and me both."
"What?"
"Never mind..."
For a moment there was silence between the two men, broken only by the sound of footsteps coming from the stairs. Before it was revealed which of the women it was, Louis walked past his father, as he did so quietly muttering something which put a smile on Charlie's face that wouldn't shift.
~~
Tess hurried across the road before the lights changed again, greeting Charlie with a hug. "So what's the big surprise?" she asked.
"Surprise?"
"This thing for Maggie?"
"Oh. Yes. Right. That."
"What's going on?"
"I'll tell you when we get there," he said, beginning to walk up the street.
"Enjoying your break then?"
"Just what we needed," he smiled. "Time to ourselves. After everything..."
Tess said nothing. Just over a month ago Maggie had turned up on her doorstep with a couple of bottles of wine, and told her friend everything. There had been tears and hugs and everything else that had come with a good, strong friendship.
"Missing me?" he asked.
"Counting down the days until you're back," she smiled. "Which is why you should feel honoured that I am giving up my day off for... whatever it is that you have planned."
"It'll be worth it."
Tess' eyes narrowed. "Is this something to do with wedding plans?" she asked.
"Why'd you ask that?"
"Because this is the way to the Registry Office."
"You're one smart woman," he smiled in reply.
"You're finally setting a date," she declared. "So why do you need me?"
"I want your opinion on something," he said as they turned the final corner.
"What?"
"You'll see."
~~
"That was Maggie," Jade said as she hung up. "She wants us to meet her in town."
"When?" Louis asked, fumbling with his shirt collar.
"Now."
"We can't. You've got your interview," he pointed out.
"It's not for a little while yet. She said she'll drop us off afterwards."
"What's going on?"
"Dunno," Jade replied, handing him his jacket. "Something about a present for your dad?"
"It's not his birthday."
"I'm just the messenger," she laughed. "Very nice," she the declared as he pulled his jacket on.
"Don't see why I need to get dressed up."
"I told you. It's all about creating the right image. This art college is pretty hard to get into, and they're interested in every aspect of my life. So I want them to see that I have a fantastic boyfriend, who scrubs up well, who's going to support me in my chosen career."
"Fine," he sighed. "Come on then."
~~
Every time Tess asked Charlie what was going on she was told that she'd find out. Eventually a woman came over and spoke to him in hushed tones, before showing them into a room.
"What do you think?" he asked.
"It's lovely. But you really didn't need my opinion on which room to choose."
"There's a bit more to it than that," he said.
Tess looked around her, taking in the setting for a moment, then the penny dropped. Why he'd asked her to dress up. Why he was in a suit. "You're kidding," she said, her face breaking into a grin.
Before Charlie could answer, the door opened and Jade shoved Louis into the room, Joanne not far behind them.
"What are you doing here, Dad?" Louis asked. "Where's Maggie?"
"Being fashionably late," Jo quipped.
"Your father and Maggie have been somewhat devious," Tess said.
"Well, if you all weren't so easy to fool," Jade pointed out.
"Fool about what?" Louis asked, still not getting it. "Dad?"
Charlie didn't respond; his attention was firmly fixed on the woman who'd just walked into the room. Holding Lana's hand, Maggie met Charlie's gaze and smiled. Louis looked from one to the other, finally getting it.
"You knew?" he asked, turning to Jade.
"Maggie told me last night. She needed me to get you here."
"Your interview..."
"You didn't think it a bit weird that the college called me at six in the evening, asking me to come in the following day?"
"I didn't realise that my father had it in him to be so devious," Louis said, turning to face him.
"I'll make it up to you," Charlie said.
"How?"
"I need a best man."
~~
When everyone had finally settled, they began. Louis couldn't stop grinning as he took his place beside his father, the rings feeling heavy and important in his pocket. Tess was drafted in as Matron of Honour, while Jade sat with Jo and Lana, keeping the young girl entertained whenever she looked ready to declare this as boring and wanting Nana to come and play.
"We are here today to join Charles and Margaret in matrimony," the celebrant began. "Marriage is the deepest commitment two people can make to each other. It requires honesty, openness, a willingness to share every aspect of your life with the other. But most of all it requires love.
"We stand here today to share in that love, to celebrate the comittment that Charles and Maggie..."
The two people who were the subject of this speech weren't paying attention. They were lost in each other.
~~
The ceremony over, rings and vows exchanged, Louis borrowed Jade's phone as she took pictures. He hung back, getting the number from the operator, but before he could make the second call Maggie came over.
"You OK?" she asked.
"Fine. Yes, why wouldn't I be?"
"You've been quiet."
"What?"
"You've not said anything."
"Congratulations?" he offered.
"Are you OK with this?" she asked, suddenly nervous.
"Why wouldn't I be?"
"I'm sorry we didn't tell you, it's just... We wanted to do it quickly, our way."
"Maggie, it's fine. Really," Louis said. "I'm pleased for you both. Look, I'll be back in a second for the family snaps we both know Dad'll want. Just need to make a quick call."
He left the room without another word. Maggie was in half a mind to go after him, but was startled by someone putting their hand on their arm.
"Mum?" Jo said. "You OK?"
"Fine," she smiled. "Thank you for coming."
"Are you kidding me? It's your wedding day. Of course, had I actually known, you'd have gotten a decent present."
"That's precisely why we didn't tell anyone. All we wanted were our closest friends and family. And no fuss."
"Mum, you gotta have fuss!"
Maggie glanced over at Charlie, engaged deep in conversation with Tess. "Not really," she sighed, her thumb running over the new band on her ring finger.
"You know, when you said you wanted a girly day out, I had visions of pampering, of shopping," Jo complained.
Maggie rolled her eyes.
"This is way better."
There was a small hand tugging at the hem of her skirt, and Maggie looked down at the toothy grin of her granddaughter. In one fluid movement she bent down and picked her up.
"Come on, sweetheart," she said, tapping her finger on the young girl's nose. "Let's go see granddad."
Hearing his new title from across the room, Charlie turned to greet them. "I don't think I like this granddad business," he said.
"Get used to it," Maggie quipped, standing next to him so Jade could take a picture. "Part of this deal."
"I can still get out of it," he quipped. "Ink's barely dry."
"You just try..."
"Wouldn't change a thing for the world," he said quietly, turning to face her and kissing her gently.
The digital camera clicked away, capturing a variety of natural shots, broken only when Louis returned, slipping Jade's phone back into her bag.
"Sorted," he replied.
"Fantastic. I'll let you do the honours."
"Do what honours?" Maggie asked.
"...Call it a wedding present from me and Jade."
"Call what a present?"
~~
It was mid-morning when she woke, still enveloped in the soft mattress. There was something about hotel beds that made them more inviting than your own. Especially when someone else was paying. As she turned over she saw he was already awake, looking at her.
"What?" she asked.
"No nightmares," he remarked.
"Not enough sleep for bad dreams," she quipped with a sly grin. "But no, no nightmares."
"Happy?"
She shook her head slightly. "Better."
She ran a hand down his cheek, smiling as he took it - her left in his right - and kissed it.
"Here's looking at you, kid," he quoted, and once again she laughed until they kissed.
~fin~