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Days turned into weeks, and weeks turned into months, and Mrs. Hughes wounds were healing nicely, the ones in her heart slower than the ones in her skin. Mr. Green had been arrested the next day of the incident, and they were waiting for the trial that would send him to jail forever.
Mr. Carson had notice she wasn't eat in the mornings, and that the basket that was next to her bed was being washed every day, and he was afraid she might have caught an infection. Dr. Clarkson used to come once or twice a week now to check on her and Charles was waiting for today's visit to talk with him.
He was pacing along the corridor when he heard heave footsteps coming up the stairs. He turned to see Dr. Clarkson and Anna at the end of the corridor walking in his direction.
-Thank you very much Mrs. Bates, you may return to your duties. - She nodded and run downstairs. – Dr. Clarkson, before you see Mrs. Hughes, I would like to talk with you. She's hasn't been having her breakfast for a few weeks now, she has been getting gill in the mornings and she's very tired.
-Mr. Carson, you know what all those symptoms mean, don't you?
-An infection no?
-Could be, but there's a bigger chance of her being… being with child Mr. Carson.
-With child? That's impossible, her childbearing years passed long ago.
-Let me examine her before jumping into conclusions.
He nodded and let him enter the room. He focused his eyes on the doorknob and swallowed his feelings, thinking about what Dr. Clarkson had just said about a child made his blood boil. His sweet Elsie couldn't be expecting a child that belonged to a disgusting human being who had tried to kill her. He just couldn't bear the idea of her having to spend the next nine of months or less carrying a child she might never be able to love. After several minutes the door opened and Dr. Clarkson came out closing his bag.
-How is she Doctor?
-Her wounds are much better; she should try and walk a bit around her room. But don't let her overdo it.
-And does she have an infection… or… well?
-I'm afraid, Mr. Carson that she is with child. I'm sorry.
-Did… did you tell her?
-I had to. She was shocked, so I think you better go inside and talk with her. If there are any problems call me.
-Thank you Dr. Clarkson.
-No need to thank me, it's my job. Carson… Charles, she means a lot to you, so please, stay with her, by her side. She will need help, so don't be like other men that leave their wives or girlfriends after being raped and in consequence getting pregnant. It's not her fault; she was trying to protect someone she loves.
-I will never leave her Dr. Clarkson, never.
-You are a good mean Mr. Carson. I'm glad she has you.
He squeezed Charles' upper arm and walked down the corridor. Mr. Carson opened knocked and opened the door.
-I've talked with the Doctor. – He walked to her bed and sat in his usual chair, next to her.
-What did he tell you? Is it going to be a murderer or a rapist?
-Don't say that Elsie. I'm as shocked as you are, but it's not the child's fault. I was worried it might be an infection that could kill you.
-This is not better than an infection, is it? I'm going to become a mother out of wedlock, to a child whose father tried to kill me and raped me... I've been wondering if I should have stayed in Scotland.
-Please Elsie, don't say that.
-It's the bloody truth Charles! This is what I feel, and I can't run away from it, and neither can you.
-No, we can't, but we can make the best out of it.
-What do you mean?
-We will have this child, and I will be its father.
-But what if the baby is born before we are married? Who will restore your honour?
-Nobody will restore it, because I don't need it. I don't care what they will say about me.
-I wish this baby were yours Charles. I really mean it.
-I know Elise, but we can't change how life works.
-I hate it. Why did this have to happen to me? I'm old, this shouldn't have happened! I shouldn't be pregnant! I had made up my mind about children!
-Elsie, I think you should rest.
-Rest?! This – she pointed at her belly. – is not going to change by resting Charles!
-You are right. Nothing is going to change.
-Oh, don't patronize me Charles- She looked at him with an angry look on her face.
-Alright! – Charles stood up and closed the door with such force that it was heard in the library. - What do you want me to say?! Do you want me to tell you that it's true and you should've never left Scotland?! That you should have stayed in your bloody farm in Argyll being hit and raped by a possible disgusting husband like Mr. Burns?! Tell me, do you?!
-Don't talk about Mr. Burns like that; he would have never done that.
-Be realistic Elsie; he would have done it. You can't run away from the truth.
-Don't talk to me about that and like that!
-Then about what do you want me to talk?! About your loveless heart?! About how stupid I was of falling in love with you?! What an idiot I was for giving my heart to you. – He was red and breathing heavily, looking at Elsie, who stared at him with a shocked expression on her face.
-Leave… Mr. Carson. – Her throat was tight and she could feel tears forming in her eyes.
-I haven't finished.
-Yes you have. Leave at once or I call for Mr. Barrow. – She turned her head and looked out the window.
-Fine. I'm leaving. But let me tell you this: we are too different, and a marriage would never work. The wedding's off.
He was angry, so angry he opened the door and slammed it close once he was out. He heard her crying, but he didn't care, or did he? He felt his heart breakingslightly. He lifted his head and found her Ladyship looking at him.
-Carson, is everything alright? I heard you yelling and…
-My Lady, there has been a change of plans. Everything has gone wrong.
-I don't what you mean Carson.
-She's with child.
-Oh my God! What are you going to do?
-You mean what is she going to do? I have nothing to do with that, so I will return to my duties, if you don't mind My Lady.
-Carson?
-We are not going to get married, so the child will be her problem. Now if you will excuse me My Lady.
He walked downstairs feeling stupid, empty, angry and sad. Deep inside he knew he would regret everything he said in a few minutes. Anna found Lady Cora standing in the corridor with a shocked expression on her face.
-Is something wrong My Lady?
-Mrs. Hughes is pregnant and Mr. Carson just cancelled the wedding.
-Oh my God! She must be scared to Death.
-I don't doubt it. Mrs. Bates, better go downstairs. I will have a little chat with Mrs. Hughes.
She nodded running downstairs. Lady Cora knocked and opened the door.
-Mrs. Hughes, may I come in?
-Of course- She dried her eyes with the corner of her sheets. Lady Cora walked to her bed. – Anything I can help you with My Lady?
-No. I understand you and Mr. Carson had a fight. Was it because he found out you are pregnant.
-No My Lady. He was worried I might have an infection, so he told Dr. Clarkson. We wanted to take care of me and my child, but I behaved like a stupid woman.
-I'm sure it wasn't just you.
-We both said things we shouldn't have. And everything is over.
-I'm sure this is just a fight. If Lord Grantham and I had finished everything because of a fight we would have never gotten married.
-But the wedding's off My Lady.
-Give him time. He will come back to you in no time, and you will see that everything is okay.
-What if he doesn't come back?
-He will. Men always come back after some time of thinking. No need to worry. No rest, don't forget there are two of you now.
Elsie nodded, resting her head against her pillow and closing her eyes. Once she was sure Elsie was asleep she left the room, closing the door quietly. She walked downstairs looking for her husband or Mr. Carson, whoever she found first. She entered the library and found both, one standing next to the door and the other one sitting comfortably on the couch.
-Carson, may I talk with you for a minute?
-Of course My Lady.
-Carson, she's very dear to you, isn't she?
-She is nothing to me but a pain My Lady.
-Perhaps a pain in your heart?
-What do you mean My Lady?
-Carson, she loves you, but she's scared, she has been raped and she just found out she's with child. I know you are both tired, but you can't finish everything because of an argument. She needs you, and if you think that she's trying to back away from you, she's not doing it on purpose. She has a cauldron of feelings right now inside her, but she knows she loves you. And she needs you.
-Perhaps you are right My Lady. I said a few things in the heat of the moment that I shouldn't have.
-Just let her adjust to the little one. Okay?
-Of course My Lady.
-And one more thing.
-Yes My Lady?
-You are getting married next week.
-So soon?
-I'm sure neither of you want that baby to be born out of wedlock, do you?
-Of course not. We talked about that.
-Then it's settled.
-I'll tell her
-She's resting so please don't wake her up.
Charles nodded and quickly left the room. He felt stupid and he was sure she felt the same way. He walked to her room, opened the door and walked inside closing the door. He sat in his chair watching her. She looked beautiful in her sleep; her cheeks were a beautiful shade of pink, her auburn curls were spread all over her pillow and a small smile on her lips. He kissed her cheek.
-I'm sorry.
It was the last thing he said before lying next to her on the bed. He was so in love with this woman. His woman.
No one knew where the butler was, not a single clue. Everyone was looking for him, but he was nowhere to be found. They were afraid he had left Downton and Mrs. Hughes. Mrs. Patmore and Daisy were looking for him in the attic, but found nothing, so against their better judgment they decided to tell Mrs. Hughes. They both knew it would break heart, but it was the right thing to do.
-You keep quiet girl, let me tell her.
She knocked lightly and opened the door to find Elsie lying in bed with Mr. Carson's arms around her body and her head resting against his chest. They were both sleeping.
-I think we found him, Daisy.
-Should we go downstairs and tell her Ladyship?
-Yes. Tell her just what we saw.
They closed the door and run to the library. Everyone turned to look at them.
-Any news Mrs. Patmore?
-We found him My Lady.
-Where? Where on Earth is he?
-In Mrs. Hughes room
-What were they doing?
-Sleeping, holding each other.
-Didn't I tell Robert that they would make up? – Lady Cora moved closer to Lord Grantham and kissed his cheek.
-Should we wake them up My Lady?
-No Daisy. Let them sleep.
Mrs. Hughes heard the door close and opened her eyes to find Charles sleeping soundly next to her.
-Charles. – She called him quietly, but he didn't react to her words.
-Hmmmmm…- was all she got in return.
-Charles, shouldn't you go back? – He moved and opened his eyes.
-The Doctor said that he wanted someone with you all the time, and that's what I'm doing.
-I appreciate it, but…
-No buts. Elsie, don't say anything right now, okay? Just listen for a minute. I'm sorry about the things I said about Mr. Burns. I shouldn't have. It's been hard since the incident, and finding out you were with child and that it wasn't mine… I was angry for not being there to protect you, and I feel as if I'm paying the price now. I love you, and I know that you will get tired of hearing it, but I won't stop telling you.
-I should apologize too.
-No, you shouldn't
-Why shouldn't I?
-Because is not your fault- She smiled and kissed him lightly
-Oh, I almost forgot, her Ladyship has told me that we are getting married next week.
-Next week?! That's too soon. I won't have time to find a dress, and with the bruises and the bandages I won't look like a bride.
-You will, even if you wear that horrible yellow dress you will still look like a bride to me.
-I knew you didn't like it. The look on your face every time you see me wearing it; the way you to try to trick into buying new dresses… I could have guessed it with my eyes closed.
-Her Ladyship will take care of everything.
-I was wondering… why don't we get married… today, her in my room?
-You don't want a big wedding?
-Maybe after the little one is born.
-If that's what you want that's what we'll do. – They stayed in silence for a bit.
-Are you sad because the baby is not yours?
-In a way. It's complicated. I'm not angry with the baby, it's not its fault, and I'm not angry with you. I want Mr. Green to go to jail and to get hanged.
-Charles! I've never heard you say something like that!
-It's the truth.
-To be honest I want to it too. Not just for me, but also for Anna.
-Everything will be alright.
-Yes, and it's almost dinnertime, and you haven't chosen his Lordships wine.
-Oh Lord! I'll be right back. Wait here.
-Do you think I'm going to go somewhere?
-It's just an expression.
-I'm sure. Now, go before they start looking for you again.
He kissed her sweetly and left the room. Elsie looked out the window, placed her hands on her tummy and looked down.
-Hello little bean. I'm your mum, and I want you to know that I love you, and that that sweet man that just left is going to be your daddy. I will never tell you about the bad man that hurt me, because I will never consider him as your father. Never. Your daddy is a very dear man that works with me and who I know will take care of us. I love him very much, and he loves you too.