"Mr. Carson, are you sure you don't need to go upstairs and nap? I'm worried about you. I don't want you to get ill because of the stress of all this." Mrs Hughes says gently.

"Come here Mrs Hughes." Mr. Carson whispers as he holds out his hand for her to take.

Mrs Hughes pauses for a moment, stands up, walks around Mr. Carson's desk, and takes his hand in hers. Suddenly they feel much more like just Elsie and Charles. Charles gently pulls Elsie towards him. He gently draws her down to sit on his knee. She's shocked at the sudden abandonment of propriety. Charles softly kisses Elsie's temple. "Thank you for being so sweet to me, Elsie. I often think I don't deserve it. I'm going to admit something and I hope you won't hate me for it. I love you, Elsie May Hughes. I have loved you for a long time."

"I love you too, Charles Carson. I wouldn't have let you sit me on your knee if I didn't. I can't believe I just said that out loud. I've felt this way for so long without saying anything." Elsie tucks her head in under Charles' chin and puts her arms around his neck.

Charles puts his arms around Elsie's waist and lets her cuddle against him. He loves that they're getting this moment without interruption. "I can't believe I admitted that to you either. I never thought I'd say that out loud to anyone." Charles says seriously.

"I'm glad that you did it out loud. It's so nice to hear that from you." Elsie lifts her head, looks in Charles' eyes and kisses him softly. The kisses increases in intensity quickly as Charles leans into the kiss. Elsie is again surprised by Charles. She is so worried that if she pulls away the moment will be broken. Charles' lips are soft against hers and she loves it. The experience is so new and yet they fit together so well just as just as they always have.

Charles slowly, carefully pulls away from the kiss and leans his forehead against Elsie's and says, "I love you so much Elsie. I can't believe I just got to kiss you like that. This seems so surreal for me. I'm afraid I'm going to wake up from this beautiful dream."