An Unexpected Guest
Summary: What happens when Father Christmas visits the nursery at Downton?
C*E*C*E*C*E*C*E
"Are you sure you want to do this, Mr. Carson?" Elsie knew his answer before she ever asked the question. He'd talked of this for the past week during their evenings over glasses of sherry or leftover wine and cups of tea.
"Very sure, Mrs. Hughes," he said with a quick wink. "I spoke with his Lordship this morning to make certain it wouldn't create a problem upstairs, and he assured me that he had no interest in playing the role, saying that I had already made it my own when Lady Mary was young." He gave Mrs. Hughes a lovely smile as he remembered things from all those years ago. "Yes, that first Christmas was truly one to remember. She spoke to me for days and days afterwards about how Father Christmas had paid her a special visit, right to the nursery, and how she was certain she would get everything she wished for."
Mrs. Hughes smiled and adjusted the belt at Carson's waist. Then, without another word, she handed him the fake white beard which would soon hide his lovely lips which she could spend hours kissing, his round cheeks she so loved to stroke, and the small cleft in his chin that she caressed with her index finger when she was feeling particularly playful. She watched from behind as he used her looking glass to complete the transformation from Charles Carson, Butler of Downton Abbey to Father Christmas, the mysterious man who only appeared in December.
"I'll go up and alert the others that you're almost ready. They'll, no doubt, want to be there to see the children's faces when you surprise them in the nursery."
"Thank you very much, Elsie," he said with a smile almost completely hidden by the beard. "I will make sure Father Christmas knows you've been a good lass this year. I'm sure he will want to give you something special."
Elsie stepped into his arms and tugged on the beard until she could capture his lips with hers, giving him a sensual kiss that held so much promise. "I hope Father Christmas knows that I've been very lucky and have almost everything I could want, and he's right here in my arms."
"Believe me, Charles Carson knows he is very fortunate that you waited so long and so patiently for him. He's not about to let you slip through his fingers." He leaned down and kissed her once more. "You make me very happy, Elsie, happier than I've ever been. And, I hope that one day … sooner rather than later … I can give you everything else you want for your happiness."
"I'm sure you will and in your own good time," she teased. "Good thing for you that I'm a patient woman. Now, I'd better let go of Charles Carson for a bit so Father Christmas can make his appearance before tea time for the children." With one last kiss to his lips, Elsie left her sitting room, leaving a flushed Carson admiring her retreating form.
Upstairs, Elsie entered the library and was pleased to find Lady Mary, Mr. Branson, and Lady Edith sitting in front of the fire. "Beg your pardon, but Mr. Carson thought you might like to know he's almost ready to go to the nursery."
Mary clapped her hands together in excitement. "I'm so glad Carson is reprising his role for our children. We all loved it when Father Christmas stopped by our house. Papa always told us it was because we were such good children, though I don't think any of us ever truly believed him. Edith and I were always arguing about something and Sybil, bless her, was forever trying to play peacemaker," she said, giving Tom a sad smile.
"Carson had us all fooled for years," Edith added. "Even Mary Crawley was duped until the age of ten. If any of us had a chance of working out that it was Carson, it should have been her."
"You're just jealous, Edith, dear. He started the tradition for me, and now it would seem that since the children are old enough, he's donning the suit once more since I mentioned those were some of my fondest childhood memories."
Tom stood and gave a pleading look towards Mrs. Hughes, his one true and steadfast ally in the house and had been for quite some time. "I believe we'd best be getting upstairs. We wouldn't want to miss the look on their faces, now would we?"
"Quite right, Mr. Branson. Mr. Carson was just putting on the finishing touches to the costume when I came in search of you."
Without any further delay, the four adults headed upstairs for the nursery, looking around every corner to see if they, too, could catch an early glimpse of the man in the red suit. While the parents went in to see to their children, Elsie lingered in the hallway as planned. She would announce the special visitor before leading Charles into the room.
They didn't have to wait long before Mrs. Hughes peeked into the nursery, stepping just inside the door. "I do believe we have a special visitor for the children, if they're up for some company," Elsie announced, catching Sybbie's eyes and giving her a quick wink and a warm smile. The child had always held a special place in her heart, not that she loved George and Marigold any less. She has simply spent more time in Sybbie's presence, in part because her father brought her for visits downstairs.
"Ohhhh, a visitor!" she squealed. "Who is it, Misssses Hughessss?" Sybbie wiggled out of her father's arms and ran towards the housekeeper with her arms raised, hoping to be picked up by the kindly woman who always had a glass of milk, some biscuits, and a hug for her.
Without any hesitation, Elsie scooped the little girl into her arms and settled her on her hip, hugging her tightly for a brief moment. "Well, why don't I give you back to your Da so I can escort our guest into your room? It wouldn't be polite to keep him waiting." Sybbie kissed Elsie on the cheek, gave her a fierce hug, and then allowed the housekeeper to return her to her Da.
Elsie slipped out into the hallway and gave Charles a quick glance to make sure everything was still in place before leading him into the nursery. She stepped aside and suddenly there were squeals of excitement from the girls and a clapping of hands from George. Father Christmas was standing, larger than life, in their very own nursery. Sybbie was the first to rush forward, lunging herself into his arms.
"It's you! It's really you!" she exclaimed with excitement. "Where are your reindeer? Why are you here early? Are you visiting other children, too?" she asked, in a very excited rush.
Charles chuckled softly as he scooped Miss Sybbie up into his arms, carrying her over to the rocking chair. He sat down with her on his lap and gave her nose a little tweak as all the adults looked on with large grins on their faces. "Let's see if I can answer your questions, Miss Sybbie, isn't it?" She nodded her head enthusiastically. "My reindeer are at home resting. It wouldn't do to tire them out this close to the big night, now would it? I'm here because I wanted to drop by to see you. I do that from time to time for children who have been especially good during the year. As for visiting other children … no, dear. This is my only stop for the day. I thought I would come and see you and your cousins."
Sybbie looked from Father Christmas to the adults in the room, then back to him. "And what about them? Have they been good this year?"
"Oh yes, I think so, though adults are a little different from little children. Their choices are harder so I am a little more lenient on them," he said, giving her a little squeeze. He noticed that George and Marigold were decidedly less sure of this stranger so he tried to enlist Sybbie's help in convincing them to come closer. "Do you think Mr. George and Miss Marigold might like to come closer? I have a little something for each of you."
She turned on his lap and eagerly waved at them. "Come on! He's very nice and he smells good," she whispered loudly. "Besides, Misssses Hughessss is here, and she wouldn't let anybody in here if they weren't good to us."
Elsie felt her cheeks warming a little at the youngsters praise, though the lass was correct. She would protect these bairns from any and all harm if it was possible.
It only took one peppermint stick and a few more minutes before Charles found his lap full of children. One by one, Charles asked them what they'd like most for Christmas, making sure to remind them that he couldn't promise that they would receive everything they wanted. He would leave that up to their parents.
Sybbie wanted a new tea set so she could have tea parties. "Do you think you could tell Carson that he could come to my tea party, Misssses Hughessss? I'd like if it he would come to the nursery with you. We could have a tea party together," she said with no idea how improper it might sound to everyone that the oldest grandchild of a Lord wished to have a tea party with two servants.
Elsie gave her a subtle wink and then gave Charles and impish grin. "Perhaps, if your Da will allow, you could bring your tea set downstairs to visit Mr. Carson and me? I am sure Mrs. Patmore could help us with biscuits and milk for our tea party."
"Oh goodie! I can't wait! But don't tell Mr. Carson. I want to surprise him! It can be our secret. Promise?"
Every eye in the room was trained on Elsie, waiting for her response. "You have my word, milady. I won't tell him your secret, though surely you know Mr. Carson knows quite a bit about what happens in this house."
She giggled and pointed at Elsie. "That's because he's listens to you," she said rather innocently.
Charles coughed as the others in the room burst into laughter. Before she could slip off Charles's lap, Mary stopped her. "Don't forget, Sybbie. If you want Father Christmas to remember your request, you must give him a payment for it."
She looked at her aunt with a puzzled look. "But I don't have any money. Da … do you have any money?"
"I do, sweetheart, but that's not what your Aunt Mary means."
"No, dear, it's not. Your mother, Aunt Edith, and I used to pay Father Christmas with a kiss on the cheek. Perhaps you might ask him if that would be payment enough," Mary said with a gleam in her eyes.
The young girl wasted no time in giving the man a hug and a kiss to his cheek. "Even if you don't bring me a tea set, thank you for coming to see us," she said softly before slipping from his lap so Marigold could take her place.
Charles could see Sybil Crawley reflected in the eyes of her child as the little girl walked away towards Mrs. Hughes and asking to be held again. "Miss Marigold, what would you like for Christmas?"
The timid girl looked up at him through long lashes and ducked her head a little. "A bear or a doll," she answered shyly.
"And do you think you might want a dollhouse or maybe some clothes for them?"
She nodded and suddenly hugged Charles tightly. "Yes, please."
"And I am absolutely sure you've been a very good girl this year, so I don't see any reason why you shouldn't have those things. Just make sure you are still good between now and Christmas. Do you promise?"
"I promise," she said rather sweetly.
"Good. I'm always happy to hear when children are playing nicely and doing what they're told. That makes my job much easier. I can tell that you, Sybbie, and George play well together."
George had suddenly appeared at Charles's knee, looking up at the man and giving him an almost piercing look. Before she climbed down from his lap, Marigold made sure to give Father Christmas a kiss on the cheek with no prompting from her mother, aunt, or uncle.
As he carefully returned Marigold to Edith, Charles leaned forward so that he was eye to eye with the young lad. "And you are Master George. Would you care to take a seat on my lap? "
The young blonde haired, blue-eyed boy nodded and was soon lifted into the strong arms of the butler. "Have you been a good lad this year and played nicely with your cousins?"
George nodded, too unsure of the visitor to say much of anything. Mary, sensing her son's hesitation came over to stand beside him, placing one hand on her son's back and one on Carson's shoulder.
"Tell him what you'd like for Christmas, George. He won't bite. I promise."
In the softest voice, a little boy managed to say two words … "toy car."
Everyone in the room paused, each remembering the tragic way the boy's father had died. But, Charles was quick to recover, and he did so admirably. "I could bring you a toy car, George, but perhaps you might like a train set instead, like the one in the village, perhaps? You liked riding the train, didn't you? "
The boy's eyes brightened as he remembered the excitement of it all. "Yes. A train … with lots of carriages," he added.
"Yes, with lots and lots of carriages to attach. I'll be sure to put my elves on that as soon as I leave."
George looked up at his mother. When she nodded, he leaned up and gave Charles a kiss to his cheek.
"Your turn, Aunt Mary! You get to sit on Father Christmas's knee and tell him what you want."
Mary turned and gave Charles a beautiful smile, remembering all those Christmases long ago when he played the role for her and her sisters. It might seem foolish, but this was her family and the children were so keen on having their parents join in the fun. "Very well," she said, gently easing onto Charles's lap.
"Mary Crawley! I remember you," the kind butler announced. "Impish little girl. Liked to run away from home, or threaten it at least," he teased.
"One and the same, I'm afraid. Still have that inclination to run, though not nearly as much anymore. I've learned that home is where the heart is and my heart is here at Downton."
"That's a very grown up lesson, Lady Mary Crawley. I'm sure your family is proud of you. And what might I get you for Christmas."
Mary smiled and leaned forward, whispering something into his ear. To everyone else, it seemed like a simple little exchange but to Elsie, who had spent years watching Charles Carson's face, she knew that the young lady on his knees had managed to rattle him, unsteady him a bit.
"I am sure that can be arranged, milady, as soon as the holiday is over, and we are at liberty to breathe a little easier."
"Not that long, I hope," she said, giving him a kiss in payment for her request.
At the children's insistence, Edith and Tom were next to have to sit on Father Christmas's lap. When it came time to pay the man for his request, Tom looked incredibly awkward, even more so than when he had been bullied into sitting on Mr. Carson's lap in the first place.
"Mr. Branson, I believe it's customary for someone of your age to shake the hand of Father Christmas. A kiss in payment is not required. A gentleman's handshake will do nicely," Elsie said, causing the ladies and children to giggle and both Charles and Tom to breathe a sigh of relief.
When Charles started to rise from his seat, Sybbie stepped forward to stop him. "Wait! You can't leave. Not yet. Misssses Hughessss hasn't had her turn on your lap. It's only fair that she gets to tell you what she wants for Christmas."
"You're absolutely right, Sybbie," Mary announced with an air of mirth. "I believe Mrs. Hughes should take her turn. I'm sure Father Christmas would love to hear what she wants, as well."
The young girl took Elsie's hand and guided her over to Charles, still seated in the rocking chair. "It's okay. He's very friendly and his beard tickles," she giggled.
"I'm sure she already knows that, Sybbie," Tom added quietly.
"Oh, right. She's probably sat on his lap loads of times, right, Misssses Hughessss?"
Elsie was a bit startled with this turn in the conversation and wasn't quite sure how to answer. She was saved by Edith who kindly took pity and the butler and housekeeper. "Why don't we leave Father Christmas and Mrs. Hughes to their discussion while we go see about some biscuits and milk? I'm sure Mrs. Hughes will need to escort our visitor back downstairs so he can take his leave of us soon."
Mary and Tom agreed and soon Charles and Elsie were left alone in the nursery, the door closed firmly and Elsie still seated on Charles's lap.
"So, Missses Huuuuughes," Charles teased, trying to imitate Sybbie Branson's way of saying her name. "What would you like for Christmas this year?"
Elsie relaxed in his arms, resting her head on his shoulder and her arms around his neck. "I'd like just one thing, though I think you already know what that is. You know me very well, and I will be pleased with whatever I receive."
Charles removed his fake beard and turned his head to kiss her lightly on the lips. "And what if you have to wait until after Christmas, after the New Year's Ball, to receive your big gift from me?"
"Then I will wait and know that good things are coming."
"Perhaps you might wish to ask Father Christmas for a bolt of cloth for a pretty new dress, something in white, if I might be so bold as to suggest it."
She kissed him softly on his large nose. "And what would you say if I said I didn't need a new dress for a special day, just the man I love and some friends around me? I could use the money saved from the dress to buy things for a little cottage."
Charles gave her a squeeze and tickled her sides a little. "I'd say you've been a very good girl this year, Elsie Hughes … a kind and patient one, a loyal friend, a steadying force in my life. It's time for us to live a little. You shall have a new dress and furnishing for a cottage. All I ask is that you wait for me until the clock strikes midnight on New Year's Eve."
She hugged his neck tightly and kissed his cheek. "No backing out now, Father Christmas. I just gave you a kiss in full payment."
He kissed her cheek in return. "Then, I had the better bargain!"
The End.
A/N: Thank you to Carryonlaughingandpainting for the artwork. Check out my tumblr (Chelsie Carson) to see Elsie sitting on Father Christmas's lap. And THANK YOU for reading and reviewing! 3