Things at Downton had not changed much since the marriage of Carson and Mrs. Hughes. The couple still had long heated discussions about the running of the house. Still shared gossip about coworkers and people from the village. They lived their days like clockwork, as they always had for so many years. Elsie would prepare his tea at breakfast, Charles would serve her first. They would reprimand the staff together as was customary for them. She would go to his pantry for wine in the evenings, or he to her sitting room for tea and biscuits. She would fuss over him. Try to keep his workload down. He would scold her. Tell her she was too soft with her girls. Yet in actuality, he had already slowed down so much for her, and she had softened his heart when it came to his boys. The great house was still running as smoothly as it always had. Carson and Mrs. Carson were essentially the same butler and housekeeper they had always been.
There were changes though. A freedom in their hearts. Now they were able to enjoy all the things they only dreamt of before. Charles would take her hand under the dining table, Elsie would slide hers along his thigh. They slowly and intentionally brushed up along each other in the halls, gazing onto one another's eyes. Acting like a young maid and footman, they would sneak hidden kisses and hungry gropes all over the house. They would laugh and snuggle closely together when they walked to the village. The pair always had afternoon tea in their room. They told the staff they were getting older now and needed a bit of time to rest and unwind during the day. Their idea of unwinding usually ended with them both lying naked and panting. Late at night they would come back to their room, their little home. They would bathe together, make passionate love, then hold each other all night long. They clung desperately to each other some nights, knowing the time they had left together was never going to be enough. Both never seeming to get their fill of the other. This, part of their determined attempts to make up for the years lost. They never spoke of their regrets, just kept moving forward. Nourishing this blissful new state they found themselves in. Love had found them, and they had found love.
...and they lived happily ever after :) The End
I just wanted to say thanks to everyone for reading Wasting Chances. My very first fanfic! I really enjoyed writing it. Being totally crazy in love with Carson and Mrs. Hughes helped. Haha :). Also a big thanks for the reviews and PM's. You all are so sweet and kind. And last, but not least, thank you to all the Chelsie authors out there. You are amazing and inspiring. Love to you all, and here's to hoping Series 4 is "the year" for these two reticent lovebirds.
Disclaimer. The characters in my stories are not mine. I only wish they were...