Each Chapter begins just after a significant event. Just snippets of missing time that I always wanted to know about. This is really just for me because I love to write and I love chelsie...If you like it, that makes me happy, and if you don't...then don't read any more. Simple as that. MSD

Chapter 1 - Love Actually

"Good Morning." She said, poking her head into his pantry.

"Good Morning Mrs. Hughes. I hope you slept well."

"Ha...like the dead. I believe our trip to the shore tired me out...but it was a good tired."

"It was indeed. I slept very well myself."

"Glad to hear it. Shall we head to breakfast?"

He gestured for her to proceed him out of his pantry. "Might I...have a word with you after breakfast?"

She turned, raising her eyebrows at him trying to gauge his reason but he simply gave her a friendly smile. "Of course." she replied.

Breakfast proceeded as usual, although she noticed a couple of the maids looking at them once or twice and giggling quietly. The next time they looked up at her she furrowed her brow, giving them a stern look. They both blanched and went back to quietly eating their breakfasts. Soon the bells began ringing and everyone was up heading to work. Mr. Carson and Mrs. Hughes were the last to leave the table as usual, making certain no one was dilly dallying. They stood at the same time and he followed her into her sitting room, closing the door behind them. She turned to him, once again raising her eyebrows in question.

"What was it you needed to see me about Mr. Carson?" she smiled up at him.

"I...I wanted to...that is to say...I…" he fumbled, trying to find the words he wanted to say. He feared sounding too forward. He feared being rejected and then feeling like a fool. She took a step forward and laid her hand over his as he pulled at his waistcoat.

"What's got you so flummoxed this morning? This isn't like you? I hope everything is ok?" she asked, a worried expression filling her kind face.

"No...I mean yes...yes, everything is fine I just…" he stopped and took a deep breath. "I just wanted to say that I really enjoyed our little paddle in the sea yesterday."

Understanding filling her eyes, she smiled wider and nodded. "I enjoyed it too Mr. Carson...very much." she squeezed his hand and let it go and began to turn toward her desk, but he reached for her hand and tugged it slightly to keep her there.

"What I mean to say is...I agree with you. That we can...afford to live a little, that is...and I...I want to live a little, as you put it, from now on." he looked down at their hands.

"Well, that's wonderful Mr. Carson. I dare say you won't regret it."

"I hope not." he said furrowing his brow again.

"What is it?" she questioned, now truly beginning to worry about him. When he just stood there in silence, still holding her hand she sighed heavily. "Mr. Carson, I am your friend. I care about you. Please, tell me what's got you so upset today."

"I'm not upset. I'm just...I want to say something to you and I cannot figure out how to say it without sounding forward or worse, ridiculous." She took a step closer and placed her other hand over their joined ones.

"Mr. Carson...you could never sound ridiculous to me and I cannot imagine you ever being too forward." she chuckled, squeezing his hand. "Please tell me what it is."

He took a deep, fortifying breath and made the decision to just come out with it. If she wasn't agreeable, she'd say so, she certainly never had a problem speaking her mind, and she'd forgive him. She always did. "Mrs. Hughes, I...I've realized something that I probably should have realized a very long time ago." He looked up and her deep blue eyes were wide, kind and held a bit of mirth at his discomfort.

"And what have you realized Mr. Carson?" she asked, encouraging him on.

"I realized that...I love you." he practically whispered.

She sucked in a surprised breath, one hand flying up to her mouth, her eyes still focused on him brimmed with tears. She swallowed hard, taking in a deep breath to calm herself before quietly replying. "You do?"

He nodded, unable to speak for fear of being rejected.

"Well, Mr. Carson, then I guess it's only fair that I tell you that...I love you too." she replied, her voice choked with emotion, the tears finally spilling over and rushing down her cheeks. He stepped even closer to her, reaching his hand up to wipe away her tears. He hadn't planned on kissing her, it just happened. Before either of them knew what was happening, he bent down, she stood on her toes and their lips met in a chaste kiss. His own tears falling then as well.

"Will you allow me to court you Mrs. Hughes?"

"Oh yes, I think I can arrange for that." she teased, her eyes dancing.

"For now, let's keep this between us. I don't want rumors starting. I want to tell Lord Grantham myself."

"Absolutely." she smiled widely at him and he pulled her to him in a tight hug. She laid her head against him and hummed her happiness against his chest.

"I have waited far too long to live my own life. You made me realize that yesterday. You took my hand and it all came bursting forth with alarming clarity."

She leaned back a little to look him in the eye. "No one could be happier about that than I, Mr. Carson." He looked down at her and kissed her again, firmly, and hummed his own happiness against her lips.

A knock sounded on the door and they dropped their arms and took a couple steps back as it opened and Mrs. Patmore poked her head in the door. "Sorry to interrupt but I need the wine choices for the menu Mr. Carson."

He turned to her, his smile spread widely across his face. "I'll just fetch them now, Mrs. Patmore." he said as he strode happily out the door.

"What on earth had gotten into him?" she said turning to look at Mrs. Hughes who was wearing an identical grin. Her mouth fell open. "Oh my Lord! He's made his intentions known hasn't he?!"

Mrs. Hughes eyes went wide and she pulled Mrs. Patmore into the room closing the door. "Shhhh! Honestly Mrs. Patmore! You'll have all kinds of rumors flying about!"

"Never mind me! You two need to wipe those silly grins off your faces!" she said, her mouth still hanging open. "I can't believe it! I didn't think he had it in him!" she began to smile. "Oh I am ever so happy for you and it's about time!"

"Oh...you're incorrigible! Please don't tease him and don't say anything in front of the others!"

"Of course I won't! What did he say? Did he propose?"

"What?! No! He...he told me he loves me and I told him that I love him too and...he wants to court me." she blushed.

Mrs. Patmore plopped down in a chair. "Well, I never."

The door opened again and Mr. Carson handed Mrs. Patmore the paper with wine choices written on it. He looked from one to the other. "What?"

Mrs. Patmore stood, shaking her head and grinning left the room, closing the door behind her.

"What was that about?" he asked.

"She knows."

"How? Did you tell her?"

"She figured it out when you walked by her smiling like the cheshire cat!"

"Ah...well then, I best don my most dour expression before I leave the room." he chuckled. "It will not be easy, but I shall do my best." He kissed her again quickly before leaving the room.

She stood giggling and shaking her head at him. "My how life can change in just a day." she thought to herself as she sat back down and began working on next week's rotas.

TBC