"This is your moment, and well done to you" Miss Baxter looks proudly at him.
Molesley stares back into her eyes, a hundred thoughts going through his mind, wanting to say so many things, yet there were no words, or rather there were no perfect words to convey all that he feels.
After a few more awkward moments, he lowers his eyes, "You don't understand," he almost stutters, "that is why I want you there...I need you there...to share it with me", he continues looking at his feet. Once he said that, he calmed down enough to put his thoughts together, takes a deep breath, and looks up to see her looking at him expectedly.
"You once said I gave you strength, do you realise it was your strength and encouragement that brought me to this point of my life? I have always thought I missed the boat, now, I'm going to be a teacher, a real teacher, not just a part time servant / part time teacher, but a real teacher! You are right, this appointment ceremony is my moment, but this moment also belongs to you...and I would really like you to share it with me. Make it our moment..."
At some time during that long speech, he had taken hold of her hand, it seemed so natural. He glances down to see her hand in his, as his thumb gently rubs her fingers. He is surprised she does not move away.
She smiles at him, "I only did what any good friend would do, it wasn't anything spe... remarkable," she corrects herself just in time. Although she cares very much for him, with her past still unsettled, she is wary of dragging him into this Coyle business. The last thing she wants is to hurt this dear, sweet man standing ever so hopefully in front of her.
"But don't you see? It is remarkable. No one believed in me as you did, and that only spurred me on."
"Mr Molesley, you are a decent man, and you are a respectable teacher in Downton," she begins to explain her reluctance, "it might not be a good idea..."
He scoffs, "That's all in the past! Unless you haven't buried Coyle in the past?," he waited for her to speak, but she does not. Emboldened, he continues, "Besides, no one knows about it and you have accompanied me to the school these past few months, it would seem odd if you're not at the ceremony."
She admitted to herself a long time ago she loves him, not like some giddy school girl or even the time with Coyle, she knows now, that was not love. She is extremely proud of his achievements and he is correct of course, they strengthen each other, they need each other. But she could not bear it if her past ever comes back to haunt her, them, or harms him any way.
She cannot bring herself to push him away, not when her heart is with him. But she is torn between wanting to do what is right to preserve his reputation and wanting him.
"Please..." he whispered. As he moves closer, she raises her other hand to gently stroke his cheek, smiling at him, he bends his head to kiss her softly.