I know that to most of you the last chapter dragged on and I am so sorry for that. I didn't know how to explain a backstory and include some Chelsie without making this even longer. The last chapter was over 3000 words haha and if I broke up the chapter into several chapters you would have killed me for having all those chapters without Chelsie so I just threw it at you all at once. I'm so sorry! I hope this Chapter is a little better anyway.

Mr. Kurigan escorted Mrs. Hughes up to the door and quickly retreated when he saw the Butler waiting to help Mrs. Hughes. He noted the glare he received from the giant standing at the door and thought it best to leave quickly. Sergei thought to himself that the Butler didn't look pleased to see him there. He didn't think the two colleagues were anything more than co working friends. Mrs. Hughes was oblivious to the whole scene and proceeded to unbutton her coat . "I shall see you tomorrow then; enjoy the rest of your day Mrs. Hughes." With the tip of his hat Mr. Kurigan walked back out into the rain.

"Ill see you tomorrow!" She smiled back at Mr. Kurigan. Mrs. Hughes closed the door behind them and Mr. Carson proceeded to help her remove her wet coat; he stood behind her taking in her smell and pulled the coat down her arms letting his fingers leave a gentle trail of the soft touch down to her wrist. It sent shivers down Mrs. Hughes spine. Mr. Carson was sure her shiver was caused by her being wet and cold from the rain.

"Here let me take these wet things to your pantry for you and we can get you some tea to warm up a bit." Brushing his fingers against hers he took the hat from her and caused her to shake a bit, Mr. Carson was oblivious to the effect he had on her and walked with her to her pantry. Mrs. Patmore stood silently and observed her two friends. They were always showing great concern for each other and they each took extra care when it came to the other. She wasn't blind and was able to see through all of this. What they felt for each other was more than just a mutual respect. It was more than a good friendship. She saw it as clear as day that what these two shared was love. She wasn't stupid; she knew Mr. Carson didn't like Mrs. Hughes spending any time with some other man even if they were "just friends".

Mr. Carson watched her from behind as they walked to her pantry; wisps of hair had come undone from running to the house in the rain. Her hips swayed as she walked drawing his attemtion to her backside, he noticed the bottom of her skirt was wet and thought her shoes and maybe even her stockings were we too. He worried she may be uncomfortable and become ill if she remained in her wet clothing.

"Thank goodness Mr. Kurigan offered me the ride home, It started raining almost immediately after the meeting was over. I would have been caught in this for sure."

She stood in front of her mirror readjusting some hair pins. She was looking at his reflection through her mirror as her hands moved deftly over her head fixing her loose strands. She saw him watching her, she imagined it's the way a husband would admire his wife while she readied herself for the day. Would he ever want me to be his wife?

His eyes were transfixed on her reflection, so many thoughts racing through his mind. He wasn't paying attention to what she was saying at all. He was thinking of the changes that have been happening all around him and how he was changing… I feel a flow of continuous changes in our world and I'm doing everything I can to adjust… but amongst all this flux I hope that I can make things change for us… my god I need her in my life…. Always.

He did not respond to Elsie speaking, he just continued to watch her from behind admiring her beautiful reflection through the mirror. He was jealous of Mr. Kurigan and the time that he was spending with Mrs. Hughes. It drove him mad today to see them huddled together as he approached the door.

Mrs. Hughes may not have been aware of Mr. Kurigan's attentions and attraction to her but Mr. Carson saw right through him. I don't think I can continue to let things progress naturally as they have. What if she grows closer to this man? He would be a fool not to sweep her up and I've been a greater fool for not pursuing things sooner. If I wait I may lose her to him? Stop..stop it… you don't know there is anything going on between them. Pull yourself together man. You're getting worked up over nothing.

"We accomplished so much today, I believe we can raise enough money for the refugees at the fair. They plan on opening a stand and selling their homemade goods. Do you believe it will be successful? I'm a little worried that people won't be so supportive of the refugees though…. I hope with Dr. Clarkson's and Mrs. Crawley's presence at the stand people won't shun them." She asked the butler as he continued to day dream.

"Mr. Carson? She called to him through the mirror as she watched his reflection. He was lost in thought.

"Mr. Carson? Your trousers are on fire…" she knew he wasn't paying attention to what she was saying. She spun around and giggled.

"Hmm… what? Yes, yes. Mrs. Hughes…" he shook himself out of his thoughts and looked at the housekeeper biting her lip and holding back a laugh. "What may I ask is so funny?" he asked.

"Nothing Mr. Carson, nothing… you were miles away is all. Is something worrying you?" she tilted her head to the side and questioned him.

He stared at her for a moment and then straightened himself up…"I… I was wondering… would you like to join me for Tea tomorrow…away from the Abbey. We haven't had much time to ourselves since the family has left and Lady Mary and Lady Edith will be returning next week, I know we won't be that busy with just them home but it will be more difficult to leave the Abbey when we would like to.

"I did promise Mr. Kurigan I would go with him tomorrow to help the refugees organize some things for the fair…." She began to explain.

"I see well then… I'll leave you to your work… Good day Mrs. Hughes." He didn't allow her to finish her sentence; he didn't hear an immediate yes and was taking it as a rejection. His heart sank to his stomach and he immediately turned around leaving her pantry.

"Mr. Carson!" she called out to him as he started walking back to his pantry… "Mr. Carson, what I was saying was, tomorrow I have to go into town to help with a few things for the fair, and if you can accompany me on this errand then we can go for tea from there? If it's alright with you?" She held her breath waiting for his answer.

"Yes of course, we could do that." His eyes brightened and he smiled from ear to ear.

"Well he certainly looked chipper after leaving your pantry…" Beryl teased as she brought in some tea to warm Elsie up from being out in the rain. Beryl had heard him ask Elsie to tea and was only trying to get the woman to admit a few things. Her feelings for Mr. Carson being one admission she was hoping would roll off of the housekeepers tongue.

Mrs. Hughes poured the tea for the both of them "He asked if I would join him for tea tomorrow, that's all, I don't know what you are suggesting! Really, Beryl!"

"I'm not suggesting anything…. I am only stating the obvious." She stated blatantly as she proceeded to fix her tea, all the while starring at the tea cup in her hand, avoiding Mrs. Hughes' roiled response. "I'm just saying he didn't ask me to join you two for tea… Elsie, why do you deny it? It's not that farfetched of an idea!' She boldly made eye contact with her friend now almost daring her to deny what she was saying as untrue.

"Do you know what I think, I think you have one active imagination Beryl, and it will do you some good not to say what you are always thinking!" Elsie was miffed with Beryl and as soon as she said it she wished she could take it back. She was tired, tired of getting her hopes up, tired of feeling like she would take one step forward with Charles and two steps back.

During her cancer scare his concern for her truly touched her and it was then that she noticed for the first time that their friendship was deeper than she had thought. Listening outside his door as he sang with glee moved her to happy tears. She had told him that after knowing a bit about his past love and life before Downton made him a bit more human and that she saw him differently than she used to. The day that he took her hand on the beach was the day that she felt unstoppable and from that day forward she was ready to open up her heart to him if he was ready for it. She pushed just a little, hoping he would take her bait and he did. In their own slow way as they always did of course, they were going to live a little.

There weren't rockets going off or fireworks in the air…there were no bold declarations of love or passion but she felt cared for by him. He showed her often, in the way that he would ask if she needed anything… how he helped her clean the mess with the buckets and run to her assistance, finished organizing the linens. All the little things added up and always left her feeling cared for and special.

Charles always managed to hold back though. He always looked like he wanted to say more, do more… she could tell, but he didn't dare it and she knew what was holding him back. It was himself and his old fashioned ways of thinking. His loyalty to the family, propriety, all of it was holding him back. Change wasn't something Charles did well with. Everything that she loved about him was also what drove her mad about him as well.

The words stung Beryl a bit. She loved her two friends dearly and only wanted to see them happy….together. "I am not imagining anything Elsie" She stood to collect the items from their tea. "I didn't mean to upset you but it will do you some good to stop pretending there isn't something more between you two and I hope you both stop wasting time. My eyesight is better than ever since my surgery Elsie… I know what I see when he looks at you. He loves you." With that she turned away with the tray in hand Leaving Elsie alone to think about what she had said.

"Beryl, Beryl wait…" she bound out of her chair and into the kitchen after her friend.

"I'm sorry…I just don't know what to think anymore." Beryl placed the tray down on the counter near the sink and faced her friend.

Taking Elsie's hands in hers she explained herself…"Elsie, don't be sorry… I know how I can get but I'm not sorry for pushing the issue with you. In all the years in this house and everything we have all been through I think we can safely say we have learned a lot of lessons and one lesson that seems to repeat itself is that we should sieze every moment we can to live our lives to the fullest or to do the things that make us happy because tomorrow is never guaranteed. We are getting older now and we deserve to live a little." She let go of her friend's hands and proceeded to wash the dishes.

"I hear what you are saying Beryl, in this case it is easier said than done. I know how I feel but I can't push him to do something he isn't ready for now. Things are moving slowly, I will admit that but it took this long to get to where we are now together. I can't force him into a relationship I'm not even sure he wants." She whispered to Beryl for fear of being heard by and anyone especially the Butler.

Beryl whispered with her back to Elsie "I hope you are wrong Elsie, I don't see Mr. Carson asking anyone else out for tea. Tomorrow you should try to push the boundaries a bit more. You might be pleasantly surprised." Elsie walked back to her pantry all the while having a difficult time getting back to work. Thoughts of Charles, and Beryl's words interrupting her efforts.

TBC

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