Ok… so… remember how I said in the beginning of Chapter 6 that Chapter 7 was going to be the safe chapter for those not interested in Chelsie Mness? Well kids, scratch that. I tried but it was sort of inevitable, after all they did just get married a few chapters ago… let's let the newlyweds have some fun, no? It's toward the end so again, if you rather not read, no hard feelings, just scroll on through :)
Before she even opened her eyes there was a smile on Elise Carson's face. She had woken a moment before and immediately realized she was still wrapped in the arms of her husband. She slowly opened her eyes and gently tilted her head to look up at Charles. He may have still been sleeping but a slight smile was pulling at the corners of his mouth. She so badly wanted to kiss him awake but she knew sleeping in was a leisure they were not accustomed to and opted to let him rest. She felt herself blush a little thinking he had earned some rest after last night. She settled herself back down on Charles' chest. They had been given a week off, away from the house, away from work, to spend together. There wasn't a whole lot to be done around the house and both had decided they would be content to take things one day at a time. However as of right now if she did nothing but lounge in this bed with her husband for 7 straight days she would deem it time well spent.
Her stomach however had other plans and she knew the quiet growling would only become more persistent and she certainly didn't want to wake Charles with the rumbling of her hungry stomach. She carefully pushed off the sheet and untwined herself from her husbands embrace and immediately realized that, aside from a garter, she was completely naked. The only clothing in sight was her wedding dress and Charles' suit and shirt lying on the chair in the corner. Unsure of where she had put her dressing gown she picked up Charles' shirt. Putting it on she noted that it hit her about mid-thigh, good enough she thought as she buttoned up a few buttons. She rolled the sleeves up a few times and snuck one last look at her beautiful man still fast asleep before tip-toeing out of the bedroom and heading downstairs. Once she made it to the kitchen she put the kettle on and began searching the cupboards for something to make for breakfast.
Charles awoke, for the second time that morning, and was disappointed to find himself alone in the bed. But as the smell of food cooking evaded his senses he realized not only where his wife was, but also that he was quite hungry. Climbing out of bed he found his shorts lying on the floor. He picked them up and put them on he decided to worry about his dressing gown later and headed for the door. He wandered into the kitchen and stopped in the doorway to take a moment and appreciate what was happening in the kitchen. Elise was barefoot padding around the kitchen, humming a tune to herself. Her hair was down in a beautiful mess of dark curls and she was wearing nothing but his shirt. She looked better in it than he did that was for sure. The same shirt those gentle fingers had removed from his own person a few short hours ago. He waited until she crossed over to stir something on the stovetop before coming up behind her placing his hands on her hips and covering her neck in kisses.
"Good morning beautiful."
She couldn't help but giggle
"Good morning my love."
He wrapped his arms around her waist sneaking a peak at what she was making
"Why my darling you're practically putting Mrs. Patmore to shame…"
She turned in his arms so she could face him, smiling up at him
"Charles… it's just bacon, eggs, and toast. I'm hardly Mrs. Patmore."
He placed a quick kiss on her lips
"Mmm well yes I suppose that's for the best… I would have been rather disappointed to find Mrs. Patmore in our kitchen making breakfast in just my shirt."
For that he earned a playful smack on the chest… gesturing to the shirt she spoke
"But this is ok then? Me wearing your shirt…?"
He ran his hands down her sides to rest just below her hips letting his fingertips graze the exposed skin there, putting his lips to her neck he mumbled against her skin
"Mmm yes much more than ok." In fact I don't think I would argue should it become your regular breakfast attire…"
She playfully rolled her eyes at him as she grabbed his face between both her hands looking into his eyes
"Charles Oliver… I'm sorry but you must let me go. I refuse to be distracted by those gorgeous lips, she kissed him letting go of his face, and burn the first meal I cook for you. Now could you be a dear and set the table please?"
"For you my love anything. But I let you go only because you insist I must."
He let her go and set the table as she served breakfast placing a plate at each setting.
After they ate they cleared the table and freshened their tea. Charles opted to take his to the sitting room while Elise put the last few dishes away. When she came in to join him, she found him comfortably reclined on their settee. She passed him to sit in the chair by the fireplace but he gently reached out and caught her arm opting to pull her onto his lap. She stretched herself out in his arms before cuddling up into his neck as his arms linked around her waist.
"Charles I can't honestly remember the last time I had a full day off. It's sort of glorious this feeling of no responsibilities, isn't it?"
"Yes that's for sure. No bells ringing, maids complaining, or cook swearing. A entire house all to ourselves, and 7 whole days off. "
"The calm before the storm." Her dropped to a nervous whisper "I become the housekeeper of Downton Abbey next week…"
He could sense a bit of worry creeping into her voice and felt his heart ache for her. He rubbed soothing circles on her back doing his best to calm her fears he spoke.
"It's a whole new life for us on many of levels my dear. But do not fear a storm. He pulled her in tighter and kissed the top of her head, I have the utmost faith that you are going to be a wonderful housekeeper. After all you have already been handling the majority of the responsibilities for some time now. The only real difference is you get your own office and everyone will be forced to acknowledge your superiority. As they rightfully should."
"Thank you my love. You always know how to make it better." She felt the spark coming back to her voice, "I know it will be wonderful. But no more talk of that though. I don't want to spoil 7 whole days of freedom thinking about work. We are supposed to be relaxing."
She pulled herself up and stood to her feet reaching her hands to him. He accepted and hand in hand she took a few slow steps backwards toward the stairs, she let her voice drop a bit doing her best to sound sultry…
"And speaking of relaxing I remember just over 3 weeks ago we discovered an ENORMOUS claw foot tub in our bathroom and it seems to me, that I suggested we could both fit in there at one time, did I not?"
Charles could only hope that this was going where he thought it was going…
"Yes… yes I do believe you did."
They reached the foot of the stairs and she carefully took one step up and turned to face him almost eye to eye. Wrapping her arms around his neck she gave him a searing kiss before making sure to thicken her brogue and whispering against the shell of his ear
"Well Charles… why don't we find out?"
That was all the encouragement he needed. He swooped her up in his arms and whisked her up the stairs. Not putting her down until they reached the bathroom. Charles started the tub, even adding some of her lavender soap as Elise pulled a few towels out of the cabinet. She placed them on the counter by the sink and as she turned around came face to face with her husband.
"Hello love" she said
He smiled "Hello. Would you care for some help with those buttons?"
She couldn't help but giggle at his eagerness… but there was something so intimate about him undressing her that she wouldn't refuse
"Yes actually I'd quite like that…"
He took a step closer as he reached out and began unbuttoning the few buttons that held the shirt closed. Elise eagerly returned the favor as she made quick work of her husbands shorts.
Before long they had discovered that the tub could indeed accommodate both of them very comfortably. They lingered there for quite some time surrounded by bubbles, sharing kisses and caresses. Charles sat with his back pressed against the tub with Elise laying against his chest between his legs, her head resting on his shoulder. She had the fingers of one hand intertwined with his under the water while the other drew lazy circles on his leg. His free arm was wrapped around her wait holding her close to him, his thumb just barely crazy across the base of her breast while he placed gentle kisses across her neck and shoulder.
They had only been married less than 24 hours and Charles had already learned he loved nothing more than holding his wife. Being as close to her as humanly possible, skin to skin. There was no self-consciousness or embarrassment around one another, and for that he was thankful. He knew he was the lucky one. That this beautiful creature had allowed him to be her husband, the one she wanted to share her life with.
Elise loved this. She fell asleep naked in this mans arms the night before and was mere moments from nodding off again. She had never felt so comfortable with anyone in her entire life. Not even her family growing up. With Charles she didn't have to wear a mask and pretend to be someone she wasn't. He loved for for who and all she was. The same ways she loved him for who and all he was. She had seen through the facade of the tough butler and found the most gentle, caring, sensitive man she had ever encountered. She was so grateful that he had allowed her to be the one to share his life with.
"Elise…" he spoke quietly not wanting to jar her
"Yes my love?" she softly said back
He kissed her hair
"Nothing love, I just wanted to see if you were awake."
She untangled her hand from his and stretched her arms out. Reaching one up and around to let rest behind his head tangling her fingers in Charles' hair. She turned her head to place a kiss on his lips before she spoke
"Mmm yes. But barely I must confess."
"The water is starting to get cold. Would you like to get out and pour our lazy selves into a warm bed?"
"That would be wonderful."
She stood first climbing out of the tub and wrapped herself in a towel before turning around giving Charles his towel. Once dry they found their way into their bedroom and opening their armoire managed to find some suitable pajamas. The sun was still high in the sky as they climbed into bed and right back into each others arms.
"Elise I never imagined life could be like this. That I could feel this happy."
"Nor did I, not until I met you."
"I love you."
"I love you too."
He brought his lips to hers kissing her softly and slowly. She pulled him in close encouraging him to deepen the kiss. Relishing in the taste of him, the feel of him pressed against her body. She moved her lips to his neck sucking a bit at his pulse point, feeling his heart beat strong against her lips. His hands moved up to caress her sides slowly sliding up to cup one of her breasts she sighed contently into his mouth. He encouraged her to lay back into the pillows as he brought his lips to hers. As they kissed he gently found the base of her nightgown and slowly worked it up and off of her body and let his hands begin to roam.
Thankful that Charles had only put on his pajama bottoms it took minimal effort to convince him to tug them off. She was lazy and weak from his ministrations and kisses. She was getting so lost in this man and she couldn't help it. He was able to make her feel things she didn't know she was capable of. He was so gentle and tender and his lips so warm on her skin as he kissed his way from her lips to her neck, to her chest, to her stomach, and ever so gently placed a single kiss to her centre before kissing his way back up to her lips. She gathered him up in her arms and looking deep into her eyes as he ever so gently slid into her. He watched enraptured as she succumbed to the pleasure her body felt: her held tilted back, eyes drifting closed and her beautiful lips parting to emit a breathy moan.
They clung to each other, making love ever so slowly. Lips never leaving each others lips except to murmur whispers of love. Touches so delicate and tender they practically dissolved into one another deep and secure as they slowly built up to their climax. Once they found their release they remained together slowly riding out the waves of pleasure not separating until the waves delicately tapered off.
Elise sat up a bit against the pillows and pulled Charles to her. He wrapped his arms around her waist and placed his head on her chest. She covered them with a blanket and gently wrapped one arm around his back and with the other hand gently ran her fingers through his hair. They fell asleep this way completely exhausted and but delightfully tangled so impossibly far into one another.
