A/N: A little chapter of fluff for now.

Disclaimer: They belong to Fellowes still sadly. Sorry folks.

Charles woke to a light tapping on his door. He couldn't very well call for the person to come in, not with Elsie sound asleep in his arms, when the door opened a crack he knew for sure they were found out.

"Mr. Carson? You're running late, I can make excuses for one of you two but I don't think it'll go over well if you're both late." John spoke as loudly as he dared through the small opening he'd created. It was bad enough he knew she was in there, he had no desire to see her there.

"Thank you Mr. Bates. I'll be right down." Charles replied running a soothing hand over Elsie's back as she began to stir.

"Go back to sleep Charles, it's only me." Elsie was mumbling in her sleep, he could watch her like this for hours if they had the time. She was so very peaceful, so relaxed, and shortly she'd have to be the stiff, proper housekeeper. It was the moment that he knew he wouldn't die in service, no he would spend his last years with her...like this. If he had his way he'd burn her corset and all of her high necked dresses too.

The door shut and he shifted, slowly untangling his limbs from hers attempting to sort out where he ended and she began. When she began mumbling again he brushed his fingers over her cheek, "Shhh...I'll be back soon."

Easing out of bed he dressed quickly and tore a page out of his journal on the side table. Picking up a pen he simply wrote 'Stay here, I'll be back with breakfast.' Folded it in half and wrote her name on the front before setting it on the side table where she was sure to see it. Leaning forward he pressed a kiss to her forehead before taking the stairs two at a time to the servants hall. Stepping inside he moved directly to his seat looking as Mr. Bates began to speak.

"I ran into Mrs. Hughes this morning Mr. Carson, she hadn't gotten much sleep last night and didn't look well. I told her I'd let you know and sent her up to bed."

"Thank you Mr. Bates, I'll take a tray up after we finish and see how she's doing. Did his Lordship mention what time they would be back today?" As he served his own plate he fixed hers as well, it wasn't something he'd ever done here before though he always gave her the best toast and bacon each morning, as well as made her tea. It hadn't occurred to him that it was odd until he glanced up to see the rest of the London staff looking at him oddly. John came to the rescue once again, with a light joke he knew the housekeeper wouldn't mind...too much.

"Mr. Carson likes to make certain Mrs. Hughes has her breakfast the way she likes it...no one wants the Dragon unleashed upon us. And he said they'd return at eleven, so long as Rose was up and moving in time." With a wink he turned to his plate and began eating. Laughing now and then with the conversations around him. As soon as the staff scattered he began preparing the tray, her tea, her breakfast, a small bud in a vase. He hoped she had read the note and stayed, better yet he hoped she was still in bed. He had the urge to take care of her as if she were one of the ladies of the house. Years of practice made carrying the tray to the attic rooms without spilling anything easy, he let his mind wander as he walked, thinking back to the night before and then to all the wasted nights of the past.

Before he knew it he was at the door to his room and opening it slowly. Peeking in he smiled to see her still asleep, she deserved it. She was always one of the first up and usually the last to bed. Setting the tray on the side table he eased down onto the bed next to her, gently wrapping a strand of hair around his finger. Leaning down he kissed along her forehead and then her cheek, when his lips were next to her ear he whispered as soft as he could, "Time to wake up love."

Groaning softly she rolled onto her back throwing an arm over her face. When she realized how bright it was she nearly sat straight up in bed, the moment her eyes opened the look of confusion washed over her face, followed by panic.

"Hey, hey, it's alright." Smiling down at her, he brushed her hair back out of her face. He rather enjoyed seeing her like this, almost as much as he enjoyed watching her sleep. "Good morning..."

She moved to swing her legs out of bed, "I'm late...what time...I'm still in your room..."

Laughing he caught her and eased her legs back into place, one hand on her back, "It's fine. Mr. Bates woke me in time for me to get downstairs and told the staff you hadn't slept last night and weren't feeling well. I'm glad you got to sleep, I'm only sad I had to wake you, I did however bring you breakfast."

Scrubbing her hands over her face she blushed a deep crimson at the thought of Mr. Bates waking them, "You shouldn't have... but thank you."

Standing he picked up the tray once more and waited for her to situate herself before setting it on her lap, and then sitting down in the arm chair. "The family won't be back until eleven or so, giving us a bit of time. Well giving you a bit of time rather, not that I was suggesting we..."

"Well we could...but then you'd have to get dressed again." Grinning she began to eat her breakfast, she was happier than she'd been in a very long time. The smile on her face wasn't going to be easy to remove, all it took was a glance in his direction to bring it out. "I feel like some giddy school girl, whatever are we going to do. If I walk around looking like I feel the entire house will know in no time."

"I don't know that I care anymore. I like seeing the smile on your face, and I like knowing that I put it there. I've wasted so much time, I should've done something sooner, said something at the very least." His gaze had fallen from her face to his own hands in his lap.

Moving the tray she turned and put her hand on his chin, forcing him to look at her again. "No regrets Charles. No living in the past. Do you understand me? No matter what happens from here on out, no regrets."

Smiling again he lost himself in her eyes, pressing his lips to hers he sighed softly, "No regrets."