A/N: This is in response to Chelsie-Fan's prompt for Series 7 that we will not be getting. I've loved the other participant's submissions so far! This was originally submitted on Tumblr and I've had the chance to clean it up some so I'll post it here at the time that we'd normally be watching Downton – 9pm in England. It will be updated weekly and then a Christmas Special.

This first chapter is dialogue free but the rest will not be. It is more of a set up chapter and because I wrote it last minute to get it in under the deadline so it has no dialogue.

Also, the format of this short story will be different for me. Right now, as I am mapping it out, it will be a day in the life of our butler and housekeeper and those in their path. Sort of like the TV series '24' or perhaps individual days we see them out and about, etc. So we will see how it works out. The Christmas Special will be a supplement and not part of the original 8 chapters, just like in the Downton universe, but of course it will tie in.

Thanks for going on the adventure with me.

They take breakfast together. For her a piece of buttered toast and coffee. For him a bowl of porridge, toast, and two cups of coffee expertly prepared by her hands. Amiably, they sit across the table from one another and discuss their plans for the day which include the counting of linens, the inventorying of cutlery, and purchasing and inventorying of wine. The conversation is much the same as it has been for more years than either can remember. Even though she accepts change easier than her husband, the consistency of their breakfast conversation is comforting in a changing world.

As she waits on Charles to finish his last spoonful of porridge, Elsie finishes dusts the last crumbs off fingers onto her napkin and drinks down the last of her coffee. She'll likely have another cup waiting for her when they reach they Abbey and she steps through to the kitchen for an early morning chat with Mrs. Patmore. Her mind already runs a mile a minute with questions to ask about the cook's budding friendship with Mr. Mason.

When Charles finishes his breakfast she collects her plate and then, with a gentle smile that he returns in kind, her husband's bowl and cup.

Standing at the sink Elsie rinses off their morning dishes and Charles takes a moment to take in this lovely picture of domesticity that he grows to appreciate more as the days go by. The words that he spoke over a year ago in front of their wedding guests come to mind once again. He still cannot get over that she is his wife; that a woman of such style and grace would entrust her happiness to him. Slowly, he moves behind her and encircles her waist with his hands as he leans into her. Pressing a kiss to her neck he says nothing. Where once words or perhaps an act of kindness were ever all they were allowed to express for one another now, closeness, touches, kisses, and intimacy convey all the love and appreciation that he feels for her. His cheek then pressed to hers, he feels her cheeks widened into a smile of affirmation. She is his and he is hers for as long as life allows.

Coats fastened and hats secured into place, they walk the green and gold pathway to the Abbey. They've walked it so many times before and though each time is different, a rabbit darting out of the bush to greet them, a bird calling in a sweet song, or a lovely butterfly flittering along beside them, somehow their walk is always the same. She walks beside him, him shortening his stride just that little bit so that she may keep up. They talk of mundane things, of important things, and of future plans. He looks down to find twinkling eyes. Sometime he finds mischievous glimmer there. Perhaps he hears a teasing retort or comforting words; she knows just the thing he needs when he needs it. When she looks to him she sees loving eyes and a beautiful man. Inside and out. He may be an old curmudgeon. She told him that once, but she sees beyond that, sees the man he really is. A kind, loyal, honest, and passionate. man. A man she loves beyond what she ever dreamed.

Charles walks her to the servant's entrance and doffs his hat. Elsie reaches up, places her hand on his shoulder, and places a kiss to his cheek. He smiles and bids her a good day and she returns the sentiment. She tells him to take care as he catches the bus to Helmsley and then walks to their house. She tells him to make sure that he doesn't hurt himself lifting the wine crates as he takes them into the house and that he doesn't fuss too much over the cutlery. That it will never match the quality of that at the Abbey. She reminds him to check that the maid's quarters are ready and that they will make a trip next Monday to interview the girl who will run the house for them. He rolls his eyes and reminds her that just because he's retired he still knows how to run a house. She places her hand to his cheek and her fingers slip along his jaw. She smiles at him fondly as she replies that she as well as anyone knows that.

Charles tells her that he'll return at six to walk her home so that they may share supper together. The Carsons are grateful that Miss Baxter is gradually taking over more responsibilities and they've their evenings to themselves now. As Elsie watches her husband walk over the brick courtyard and past the gate, she looks forward to when he will collect her for their walk home.

Thank you for reading. A review would be lovely.