A/N it's springtime! All those feelings! All this fluff... This story now officially makes no sense anymore and is probably OOC. But I needed to write something happy for a change at least once. (although it is killing me because it's dripping with fluff)

enough said. Have fun reading and when you're still alive at the end OR have managed to read it until the end it would be nice if you'd leave me a review and tell me: OMG stop it now it's sooo ooc I cannot handle it!

She waited behind one of the stone pillars next to the main gate that marked the entrance to the premises. The air was still warm and the smell of spring, she had enjoyed earlier, was still perceivable like a faint memory. A long deep breath filled her lungs with so much fresh air that she felt revived and was finally able to relax a bit, control her shaking hands and her breathing. Once more she made sure her hair was still in place. She had decided to double braid her hair at the sides and pin it up to a loose bun at the neck. A style she had worn when she was still a young girl and new in service. When she was promoted to the honorable position of housekeeper a more decent hairstyle was expected of her. But today she did not want to be Mrs. Hughes. Today she was Elsie Hughes.

Patiently she waited for him and let her thoughts wander while she did so. Back to the day they discovered that there was more between them than just a deep and respectful friendship. He had been there for her when the letter had arrived, when her world fell apart, when her last connection with home died – her sister. He had listened to her, comforted her, and shared her memories. A few simple gestures, a hesitant embrace and the touch of his hands, had led to the revelation of their mutual feelings for each other. Something they had known for so long but never found the courage to say out loud.

From afar, she could her someone approaching. The gravel on the path crunched underneath his feet and his footfall was more hurried than usual. He had been looking forward to this day longer than she had and was obviously eager to be alone with her after this stressful day. Elsie suppressed a grin and stepped forth behind the majestic pillar she had hidden behind previously.

He slowed down a bit when he saw her, managed to return to a more decent pace.

"Finally," he said when he reached her.

She tilted her head a bit to the left and looked up to him. "This day has not been the kindest so far, has it?"

"But we made it in the end. Shall we?" He offered her his arm and she took it without hesitation. Usually this simple gesture of friendship would have been impossible inside the house or when they walked to church on Sundays. Whenever other people surrounded them all her restraint was needed to prevent her from accidentally touching his arm or his hand. But now they were alone, finally.

ooooo

They enjoyed the silence for a while, walking next to each other, their arms touching, her head almost leaning on his shoulder. Neither said a word. Having time together alone was all they needed now. Charles only eyed her from time to time when he was sure she did not notice. Her face was so relaxed and she had a smile on her lips. She had changed her hair, and now that he had a closer look he was reminded of their first meeting so many years ago. The moment she had appeared in front of the house, standing next to the main entrance, taking in the grandeur of what was Downton Abbey. She had worn the same hairstyle back then.

"Elsie," Charles whispered to get her attention. He felt how she moved even closer to his side when hearing her name. "I love you." He slowed his step until they eventually stopped walking and just stood in the middle of the path, arm in arm, her head now resting on his shoulder. He could hear her breathing, hear the birds sing somewhere in the treetops, feel the gentle breeze in his hair and on his face and the happiness that flooded through his body. After all these dreadful years of war, the hardships, the losses, the sadness they had endured, he was finally able to enjoy life.

She turned in his arms to stand in front of him. "And I love you, Charles Carson." As always Elsie had to stand on tiptoes to kiss him. He placed both of his hands at her waist to lift her up a bit.

"But we should not remain standing in the middle of the road. What if someone approaches?" he heard her whisper against his lips. The practical housekeeper would always win, no matter what they were doing and where. Charles chuckled and set her down to her feet again, took her hand and led her off the main road towards a trodden path that ran parallel to the street first but later crossed through the small forest.

"Better?" he kissed the back of her hand.

"Much better."

They walked in silence again for a few minutes, listening to the sound of spring around them. He still held her hand and his thumb continuously stroked the back of it. "Your hair looks beautiful today." He had wanted to make this compliment earlier but it never felt right until now that they were near the forest and passing by a large old oak. The road was far behind them and only nature would be their witness. "It's the same style like on the day we first met."

"You remember it then," she fixed her gaze onto the path in front of her and Charles noticed the faint blush on her cheeks.

"How could I ever forget?" Again they stopped and this time it was he who bent down to first place a kiss on her forehead and then tilted her chin so that his lips found her mouth for a kiss that they usually shared when they were sure no one else was around. Her hands went up to cup his face and to draw him even closer whereas Charles took a few steps backwards until his back hit the trunk of the old oak. His hands reached for the hatpin to take it out in order to remove her hat.

"What are you doing?" she whispered breathlessly.

"I want to have a closer look at how beautiful you are."

ooooo

She let him take control and had her hat removed carefully. When she looked up again into his face his eyes could not hide his desire. After all these years of constraint something was now seeking its way to the surface, in both of them. This was the first day they were able to spend alone, away from the house, away from all their duties. Elsie was not sure if she was ready for all of this. Her heart told her to stop thinking when her head at the same time tried to force her to consider all the consequences. Though it had been her head that had always won the fight in the last twenty years.

"Charles, are you sure we are not going one step too far?" she heard herself ask in between the kisses they shared. They were outside and no doors could protect them or keep unwanted witnesses out.

His hands wandered up and down her back, gently stroking it, careful and at the same time strong and reassuring. He placed a kiss on her left temple. "When you are feeling uncomfortable we should better stop right now." His voice was soft and gentle and without the disappointment she had expected to hear.

She reached out one last time to kiss him. "Thank you." For a moment she rested her head on his chest. "It's not that I do not want to share this kind of intimacies with you. I have wanted this for years. But I feel a bit exposed." Her head had won again but at least her heart had managed to let itself heard.

"Shall we continue our walk then?" he asked and handed her the hat back with a smile.

"I would love to, Mr. Carson. I've heard that there is a fair in the village and I'd like to see that." she reached out to take his hand, entwined her fingers with his and walked as close to him as possible.

ooooo

Inside his head another plan began to form. One, that he had considered for so many years but never dared to prioritize in the last two months. The happiness they both experienced right now had been so overwhelming and fulfilling that he had shoved this thought aside. Until now.

A/N the next ff will definitely be angst again and more in character :) promised.