Authors Note: This is my first fanfic in... what feels like forever. I've started writing for Downton Abbey back on 2011 and continued to write until mid-2014 when I had to stop because of several reasons. When I wrote something since then, I wrote it for myself or tried to finish the story completely before typing and publishing it. Didn't work. So I ended up with several fanfics on paper but not a single one published.

This is one of the stories I wrote in spring/early summer this year. Then I got stuck, didn't want to write it any more. felt insecure about it because everyone had written their take on what happened AFTER the proposal and now there are already tons of stories that forehead kiss. I'm late to the party. So I hope this doesn't bore you and that you give me a second chance. remember: english is not my native tongue. some sentences will look and feel and read extremely german (we love long sentences and put verbs and adjectives at the very end of long sentences...). Enjoy + please let me know what you think!

Chapter 1 – DAY 1

Rain came pouring down heavily, turning the drive and yard into a muddy mess, covered by a multitude of deep puddles. She tried her best to manoeuver around them and not getting her shoes completely ruined. One careful step to the left, a few to the right. Balancing the basket full of provisions in one hand and her umbrella in the other.

When she was still a child, jumping over puddles had been a fun game. Sometimes, after a warm summer rain, she would take off her shoes and stockings and wade through them. Always careful that no one would see her though her mother always knew what her eldest daughter had been up too.

The days of her youth were long gone and jumping carefree over the puddles and hop across the back yard was out of the question. But the memory of it all brought a smile to her face. She took a large step to cross one of the smaller puddles then walked around a larger one. Should someone watch her now from the warm and dry safety of the house, how she danced around the wet obstacles, they would probably enjoy the show she was inevitably giving them.

Earlier, Mr Carson had warned her to go out and into the village with the sky darkening and the heavy rainfall imminent. He had offered to send a maid and, when that did not convince her, suggested he would run the errands. Mrs Patmore, who had witnessed their little discussion, had simply looked at Elsie, handed her the new, large umbrella and her shopping list before she pushed Elsie out of the back door.

She could have easily sent one of her girls, like he had suggested, but there were a few items she required that were rather private. And a bit of rain was not going to ruin her day or her good mood.

There was one last puddle she had to walk around before she reached the safety of the back door. The little roof provided some much needed shelter from the rain. She closed the umbrella and was about to open the door, when it was pushed in her direction. The sudden, unexpected movement startled her and she took a step backwards directly into one of the pools she had successfully avoided earlier.

"Blast!" Now her left shoe was wet and most likely ruined beyond repair.

"Oh! Mrs Hughes!" Andy took her hand and pulled her inside, out of the rain and nasty weather. "I am so sorry." He had taken her umbrella and was about to grab for the basket as well in an eager attempt to make up for his mistake.

"It is fine, Andy. Really. Go on with what you were about to do, please." She tried to keep the annoyance and scolding out of her voice. The footman already looked crestfallen, shoulders sagged and staring at his feet. Elsie unpinned her hat, wanted to get out of the wet coat next but Andy had his hands on her shoulders immediately.

"Andy, it's alright. I can manage," she warned him once more.

"Mrs Hughes?" A deeper, male voice interrupted them. Mr Carson had stepped out of his pantry, took in her dishevelled appearance and sent Andy outdoors by simply looking at him angrily. The footman scurried out of their way.

"I'm glad you're back." All the anger had immediately disappeared when he addressed her, his voice soft and quiet.

"I was only gone for two hours." She smiled up at him, strands of we hair clung to her forehead and her neck. With one hand she tried to wipe them away but it was no use. She needed to change into dry and clean clothes as soon as possible, take a hot bath and pin her hair up neatly again.

"But in that nasty weather", he huffed.

Elsie gently touched his cheek. "I did survive it now, didn't I?"

He smiled down at her but there was still a worried look on his face.

"Let me get changed and I'll be downstairs again in half an hour."

…*…*…*…*…

The wet left shoe squeaked with every step she took. Walking was uncomfortable and once she had finally reached her room, Elsie tossed the offending shoe unceremoniously into a corner. She would take care of it later, if it was worth mending at all. For their wedding she had planned to buy a new pair anyway.

The basket she placed on top of the small desk that stood by the window. She would sort its contents later, take Mrs Patmore's orders out and store the items she bought for herself (and for him) in a safe place, away from prying eyes.

tbc

I have a cold. So I couldn't proofread this. If you find the missing words and letters or extra letters: sorry!