As Charles headed towards his office he wondered how his life had gotten so good the last few months. Molly had all but moved into his flat but still wouldn't move in completely even though he asked her on a regular basis. Her response back a couple of months ago had been about saving for her flat he'd realised how younger she was than him and perhaps this'd happened too quickly. But then in the next breath he realised how happy she made him and he hoped he made her so he knew everything would work out. There was always one definite thought in his mind and that was no way he was ever letting her out of his sight, she was the one.

This was a big week for the company with the opening of new offices and despite wanting to tell Molly what was coming up he had maintained the confidentiality. To be fair she hadn't pushed him to share it but he didn't want to keep any secrets from her. He had spent far too long living with secrets when married to Rebecca so was not going to repeat that. She knew this was an important week for the company but nothing else. His plan was to tell her everything tonight and really hope she would be onboard with what he was going to suggest.

As he sat down at his desk he reached across to switch on his PC his eyes focused on the photo next to it. Him, Molly and Sam on the London Eye. He had finally managed to get her to do it a couple of weeks ago even though she complained of a fear of heights and had clung to him most of the time. He'd rather liked that though.

Looking up as Jeff breezed in he switched into work mode quickly. An hour later they had agreed what was to be said to the employees today. Charles was to make a brief announcement today and start the ball rolling.

Molly stood with Smurf and the rest of her department waiting for Jeff and Charles to appear. She had been dreading this moment she was expecting bad news, Charles had been distant and quiet the last couple of days and she knew it was whatever was going to be announced today.

Charles walked in ahead of Jeff and she watched him as he searched the faces looking for her giving her a quick smile as he walked to the front of the room. Jeff stood beside him as Charles began speaking. She watched mesmerised as he raised a hand to hush the group. He always looked good in that navy suit she thought and a blush rose as she thought about how he looked out of it.

'Good morning everyone and thank you for taking some time out of your day to hear our exciting news. As you know the last 18 months has seen our company increase to the point that we now need to look at opportunities both in the UK and outside of the UK. We are therefore delighted to announce that we will be opening a New York office within the next six months and an office in Bath which Jeff will relocate to.'

He stopped talking letting the words sink in to the people standing in the room. A hush had descended as he'd begun talking and now people were whispering to each other as the news settled with them. He sought out Molly's face she was watching him her face pink. He knew that look and turned away he needed to focus up or else he'd be running across the room to kiss her. He raised his hands to bring the room back to order.

'Now I know a lot of you will be worried about jobs and paying your bills. So let me assure everyone here no one will lose their job this is a great opportunity for us to reach a wider audience and build the business. This is an expansion and it will be good for all of us.' He stepped back as Jeff walked forward.

'Thanks Charles. Guys we don't get together very often and share good news in this type of forum but I want to let you know this is all good. We are in a strong financial position and we have a group of backers who will ensure success in the USA for that part of the business. I'm proud of the work we've done as a team and what we can achieve in the future. Now we will have more announcements during the week so I want to invite you back here on Wednesday same time to hear more exciting updates. Cheers guys lets get back to work.'

Charles watched the faces in the room as they listened to Jeff. Concern, elation, surprise written across them. He began clapping as Jeff finished and the room joined in before people began shuffling out. Looking for Molly he saw her walking quickly with Smurf who could not hide his delight. Over his dead body was he taking bloody Smurf to New York. There was only one person he was taking with him. Well, if she said yes of course…..

Molly was leaning on the car as he walked towards her. She'd been busy all afternoon so he'd had to wait to get her on her own. He pushed her back against the car and leaned in for a kiss sighing as he felt her body relax into his. 'I've been wanting to do that all day.' He stood back running fingers through his hair. 'I'm knackered and it's only Monday.'

She stepped away from him walking to the passenger side. 'You will definitely need an early night then.' She winked as she disappeared from view getting into the car. He walked to the drivers side and climbed in.

'So whats everyone saying then good, bad, don't care?' He reversed the car out and swung it out of the car park into the evening light.

'Oh you know whats gonna happen to them. Why Bath, why New York. Who will go to New York all that sort of stuff.'

'Right so a normal day then.' He gave a weary laugh. 'Lets forget about work right now and stick the radio on. I need some Forever FM cheer.' He hit the on switch and the intro to a Madness song was playing. 'Ah I love this one.'

I never thought I'd miss you

Half as much as I do

And I never thought I'd feel this way

The way I feel

About you

As soon as I wake up

Every night, every day

I know that it's you I need

To take the blues away

Molly gazed out the window as he drove. Listening to him singing she had no idea what this song was. But he knew the words. He knew the words to every song it seemed.

As the song neared the end Charles reached for Molly's hand and gave it a squeeze she turned and gave a quizzical look in return. They were sitting at a traffic lights as he gazed across the dark car at her. Her eyes searched his face she knew something was up that was the thing with them they instantly knew when the other was out of sorts.

As soon as I wake up

Every night, every day

I know that it's you I need

To take the blues away

It must be love, love, love

It must be love, love, love

Nothing more, nothing less

Love is the best

'I've not heard that song in years love it.' He released her hand and drove on. He had so much he needed to say did he do it at home? Did he take her out? He wasn't sure which would be the best and so opted to go home at least if she fell out with him there he wouldn't have people looking at him.

They had a takeaway for dinner and were lying on the sofa with some old movie playing on the TV. Molly was laughing quietly as he worked on his laptop glancing up every now and then to see what was happening. He finally closed it and placed it on the floor. He looked down the sofa at her lying at the other end. The film was almost finished and he jumped up to refill their wine glasses and sat back down closing his eyes waiting for the end music to start.

'Come on then I know you've got something to tell me its like you got ants in yer pants or something.' He opened his eyes and turned his head slowly she was sitting up leaning on the back of the sofa her head resting on her arms. He took a breath.

'Right, okay. So the New York office I'm going to be heading it up and doing the launch. Jeff's kids are all in school and he doesn't want to uproot them so it makes sense for me to do it.'

'Whoah, what does this mean? Will you come back. What I mean is will you work here and there.' He shook his head. 'No I'll be living there for at least a year maybe longer don't know right now.'

'Oh.' Molly's head dropped into her arms and he heard her gulp back a sob.

'Molly?' She looked up her eyes glistening as she met his. 'I'm not going without you. Will you come with me?'

'Huh what come to New York?'

He reached across the sofa brushing her hair behind her shoulders. 'Yes come to New York.'

'Charles I don't know what to say. I mean what about my job, my family and Sam what about him. OMG New York this is crazy.' He watched her as she stood up pacing around the room talking to herself and then flinging a comment his way every few minutes. He uncurled himself from the sofa and stood up walking over to her and pulling her close. She stopped talking and slumped against him.

'Its New York Charles.'

'I know but it could be amazing for us. We can live in the city or outside wherever you want. I don't care as long as we're together. Sam will come out for holidays, we'll come back here. We can make it work.' She pushed him away. 'But its New York I mean Carrie Bradshaw lived in New York.'

'Oh right is she a friend of yours?' She thumped him on the shoulder. 'No you prannet she was in Sex and the City. I mean its New York.'

'I know Molly so is that a yes then?' He leaned against the sofa concerned as she began pacing again her mind whirring. He didn't have a clue who this Carrie woman was and made a mental note to google her tomorrow. Suddenly she launched at him knocking him off his feet so they fell onto the sofa. As they landed in a heap of tangled limbs she reached for his face cupping it in front of her as she spoke through tears.

'Yes.'

'You mean it.' He searched her face quickly. She nodded and reached up to kiss him. Talking as she did so. 'I'm moving to New York OMG!'

Lying on the sofa wrapped around each other Charles spoke first. 'I love you.' Molly smiled as she pushed a flop of hair back from his face. 'I love you.'

He looked down and then back at her taking a deep breath as he went to speak. 'I don't know how to say this.' Molly looked at him concerned.

He spoke quietly. 'Will you marry me?'

A sob rose up her throat as she tried to speak. 'Yes.' He sat up and reached behind him pulling a box from under the cushions. 'Good so now you can have this.' Molly sat up quickly tears falling down her face as Charles took a ring out of the box and placed it on her finger. His arms wrapped around her as he kissed her.

'Charles is this really happening?' He nodded. 'Wow I didn't expect this today I thought you were gonna dump me and go find some supermodel over there.'

He stood up reaching for her and pulled her towards the bedroom. 'No way Dawsey you are stuck with me!'

xxxxxxxx

Molly heard someone talking and opened her eyes. She turned to look at Charles who was pointing at the window. She leaned forward excitedly and looked out at the New York skyline.

As she did so she heard him whisper in her ear 'We're nearly there.'

So a very happy ending. Thanks for all the lovely comments on this story. I loved the proposal scene in My big fat Greek wedding so it was loosely based on that.

I never intended to go past a one shot but have liked seeing this fun Charles appear.

I might do a Molly and Charles in New York…. Not sure I can let this one go yet. x