So this is a song fic. I never thought I'd write one, but here we are. It's based on Annalise Emerick's "This Love Won't Break Your Heart." I would suggest looking it up as you read this. I posted a link to it on my tumblr for your convenience. :)
I hope you enjoy this little piece of fluff. Please leave a review if you have the time.
An air of anticipation had fallen over the servant's table as they waited for the new year. Everything was changing, Charles thought as he watched his colleagues and yes, friends, smiling around him. Everyone seemed happier than in years past, and a sentimental part of him couldn't help but think it was because he was so much happier. He couldn't remember being happier in his life and that was all due to his wonderful wife sitting next to him. It had been more than a year since she had accepted his marriage proposal and he was still marveling at the fact. He lowered his head to hide the smile he didn't want to try to fight.
Elsie and Mrs. Patmore were cooing over Anna and her new babe as Mr. Bates and Mr. Mason looked on. Miss Baxter and Mr. Molesley were cosied up on the other side of Elsie sharing secret smiles and glances. Andy and Daisy were playing a game of cards with the hall boy, Davey. Mr. Barrow had even come back to celebrate the new year with them and Charles found that he didn't mind the ex-under butler's return as much as he thought he would. Of course, he would be taking over as butler from Charles starting tomorrow as he and Elsie started the New Year as retirees.
He had always thought he'd die at Downton, but now that he had a new future ahead of him he realised he was looking forward to it. He wouldn't lie to himself and say that it wouldn't be a completely different life. He would be going from answering the call of his employers to answering to no one but himself and his dear Elsie. He reached for her hand as he thought of her words from earlier when he had told her of his fears. They would face whatever came together and that was just fine with him.
"Oh my! It's almost midnight!"
Elsie's exclamation took the table by surprise. A chorus of chairs scraping against the floor soon followed as they all stood with their glasses to toast the new year. Charles held tight to Elsie's hand as they stood. She smiled at him before turning back to the others to begin to sing.
"Should auld acquaintance be forgot…"
Charles could only watch her for a moment before he felt his eyes fill with tears. He looked down at his feet to try to stem the untimely show of emotion. He didn't want to to be seen crying on his last day as butler of Downton Abbey. He vaguely heard the others joining his wife as she squeezed his hand and sent him a smile.
"For auld lang syne, my dear," he finally sang, adding his baritone to the mix. The smiles around him soon made him forget to be embarrassed about his tears. This was an end to an era. He had a right to his melancholy. The new year was bringing many changes as it has every year. Only now he looked forward to those changes.
"Happy New Year!"
As the hall filled with shouts of New Year's cheers, Charles smiled down at his wife. She beamed up at him and he couldn't resist leaning down to kiss her in front of all and sundry.
"Happy New Year, Mrs. Carson," he rumbled. "I love you."
Elsie let out a breathless laugh. "Happy New Year, Mr. Carson. I'll love you 'til the day I die."