After the kiss (S6.1)
Thank you Lord Fellows, this was my favourite scene of a brilliant first episode. And thank you for actually making it so that their first kiss was champagne flavoured! Now, someone give poor Mrs Patmore a medal! (Sorry this one is a bit short).
'You misunderstand me'. She began, his heart leapt. Did she mean what he hoped she did? His heart had ached as she had stopped him leaving, he couldn't even look at her. Convinced she was going to break their engagement he was bracing himself for the worst. He dared to look back at her, but she couldn't quite meet his gaze. 'I was afraid I'd be a disappointment to you; that I couldn't hope to please you as I am now. But if you're sure?' She looked up at him, finally meeting his gaze. His eyes filled with tears.
'I have never been more sure of anything.' He breathed. She wasn't going to leave him. He couldn't even distinguish the feelings from each other that rushed through him. All he knew was he adored her and he was desperate to kiss her and show her just how much.
'Well then Mr Carson, if you want me, you can have me. To quote Oliver Cromwell: "Warts and all"!' It was all he needed. The smiled spread across her face reassured him as he reached up to touch her. One hand on her shoulder, the other gently caressing the skin on her neck as he pressed his lips to hers. Time stood still. He was completely consumed by her, lost in the sweetness of her lips. He managed to rein himself in, terrified of overwhelming her and scaring her away. As he pulled away however, he found her eyes watching him. He pressed his lips to her forehead. Before wrapping his arms around her. She rested her head on his chest and he sighed, content to simply hold her. He took a deep breath in, there was something distinctly wonderful about the way she smelled. He knew what her soap smelt like and he knew what the soap in the laundry smelt like, but there was something that was simply Elsie about her too.
He chuckled to himself. He had never thought of her as Elsie in his head before.
'And what's so funny?' She said, her voice muffled slightly as she hadn't lifted her head from his chest. He blushed. Not entirely sure he wanted to admit what he had thought just now. Then another thought occurred to him.
'You taste like champagne.' He said. He rested his chin against her head and she snuggled herself closer to him.
'I know, so do you.' She whispered. 'We should get back, Mrs Patmore will be coming to find us if we're not careful.' She said eventually. Despite her words, she didn't make a move to let go of him. He pressed his lips to her hair.
'Did Mrs Patmore tell you everything I said?'
'I think so.' Mrs Hughes said, blushing slightly at the memory, but thankful he couldn't see her cheeks from where he stood.
'Good, because I meant every word. To me you are beautiful, don't worry about whether or not you'd please me because you already do.' Tears filled her eyes as he spoke. 'I only hope I'm worthy of such a wonderful woman as you.'
'I think we might just be ok then.'
'If there's nothing pressing tomorrow afternoon, do you want to go and see Reverend Travis?' He asked, tentatively.
'Yes please.' She looked back up at him. He smiled, dipping his head slightly to capture her lips again. 'And even if there is anything pressing, we're going anyway.' She continued when they'd broken apart, slightly breathless.