A/N: Yes, I know...I've made you wait. Sorry. Work, down in my back...etc. Anyway. One more chapter after this. Thank you all for the wonderful reviews!

"Charles Carson! You stop that!" Elsie squealed as she rushed down the stairs trying to stay far enough ahead of him that he couldn't swat her bottom again. She was failing miserably due to his longer legs and long arms.

Charles laughed as she shot off the last step and made it around the corner onto the main floor of their shop before he caught her again and pulled her to him. "You're caught," he breathed as he nipped her neck.

"Ooh, yes I am." Elsie panted as she tilted her head, giving him easier access. "Darling," she whispered, using her rolled r to pay him back. Feeling him tremble against her, she smiled before continuing. "It's almost time for John and Anna to arrive. You don't want them to catch us, do you?"

Charles pulled back, his chin resting on the top of her head as he straightened up. "Blast," he growled. "You're a wicked woman."

Elsie looked up at him. "I'm a wicked woman? How do you figure that, Darling?"

"You were swaying your hips and you're wearing the skirt that hugs your figure just a little more than your usual dress does. How do you expect me to keep my hands to myself?"

Elsie shook her head and smiled as she reached up to cup his cheek. "I love you, even though you are hopelessly silly."

Kissing her nose, Charles smiled down at her. "It's good to be silly."

"Yes, Darling, it is."

"There you go again." Charles growled. "You mustn't call me that when I can't do anything about it."

Chuckling, Elsie moved away from him just as a knock sounded on the door. "That will be John and Anna."

"I'm glad Anna comes along. I'd hate for John to be here by himself on the days we're out all day."

"I think she enjoys getting out of the house for a while. I'm just glad they agreed to help us, that we could help them." Elsie told Charles over her shoulder, frowning when she opened the door to find Mrs. Patmore instead of John and Anna. "Beryl?"

Beryl grinned. "I hear you sell sweeties. Need a cook to bake some treats?"

"Whatever are you on about?" Elsie asked as she moved to let their guest in.

"I've retired." Beryl answered the question.

Charles blinked in surprise at her. "You've left? Daisy?"

"She left. Took Mr. Mason up on his offer. Alfred followed her. Seems he fancied her after all."

Elsie rolled her eyes. "Who's left then?"

"Oh, the rest are still there, but the family's missing the ones gone, that's for sure. The new replacements aren't up to snuff. Once Daisy left," Beryl paused and shook her head. "I just couldn't find a reason to stay, or care anymore."

Elsie smiled at her friend. "We're happy you've come to us." Turning she winked up at Charles. "He'll be happy to have your apple tart."

"Elsie." Charles growled even though a smile gave him away.

Beryl laughed, "I've found a place to live with John and Anna. I'll be glad to help you here anyway that I can."

"Well," Charles started, continuing only when he caught Elsie's slight nod. "We had been considering selling a few baked treats, but we hadn't found the right person yet."

"Now you have." Beryl smiled.

"The money will be yours, Beryl." Elsie bit her bottom lip. "Where will you bake though?"

"Well, since I live with John and Anna, I can bake the treats there and they can help me bring them here. It isn't as if I've never gotten up early in my life."

Charles laughed, "We're closed Sundays so you don't have to get up early that day. You're free to come in as many days a week as you like. It's up to you."

"Imagine that. Beryl Patmore makin' her own schedule!"

"It's rather freeing." Elsie chimed in. "Some weeks Charles and I take more time off, other weeks, it's John who takes the extra. Anna only comes in so she isn't by herself being so close to her time."

Beryl nodded. "She is that. Goodness knows how the girl moves about."

"Very carefully." Anna piped up, she and John having come in unnoticed.

Elsie laughed as she turned and smiled at the younger couple. "Come on then. It's nearly time to open. Let John and Charles get the shop ready. Us ladies have things to discuss over tea."

Charles caught Elsie as she walked passed him. "Don't forget we're meeting Bethy and Charlie for luncheon."

"I won't." Elsie sighed and she stood on tiptoes and pressed a kiss to his cheek. "I just wish his parents weren't going to be there."

"I know, Lass, but they've important news to tell us and they want their parents to all be there."

Elsie's eyes were bright as she stared up at her husband. "Do you think it's," she paused and bit her lip.

"I do." Charles whispered as he gently touched her lip to get her to stop chewing on it. "It's the only reason I can think of for them wanting us all together outside of a holiday."

Elsie nodded. "I just hope his parents behave themselves."

Charles sighed, "So do I. I don't relish a repeat of our last encounter."

Elsie shivered at the memory. "Nor do I."

"Go on then. Let John and I get to work." Winking at Anna, he patted Elsie's arm. "Besides, I think Anna needs a bit of a sit down."

Anna smiled and nodded. "I do, Mr. Carson."

"Come along then, Anna. You can help Beryl and I decide what sweets she should bake."

"Apple tarts." Anna answered as they disappeared up the stairs.

John laughed at the way Charles rolled his eyes. "I think all of the women in your life know everything when it comes to your sweet tooth, Charles."

"I think you're right, John." Charles smiled. "I wouldn't have it any other way."

John nodded. "It's good to have a family. I want to thank you and Elsie for that."

"No need to thank us, John. We're happy to have a family. Anna was a daughter to us." Charles went about his work, easily moving about the shop with John as they prepared things for the day. "It nearly broke Elsie when she had to testify at your trial."

"I know. I saw the look on her face. She didn't want to tell the truth. It was only after I nodded at her that she gave in. She's been very good to me, Charles. From the very beginning, she took care of me."

"That's my Elsie."

John smiled. "Are we ready to turn the sign?"

"Ready as can be."

CnE

"Lady Sybil?" John said in surprise as he looked at the couple who had just entered the shop.

Sybil smiled. "I know, you're surprised to see me here, but,"

"But she had to come and show the baby to the Carsons." Tom finished for her, a smile on his face. "Are they here?"

"You've just got here in time, they were about to leave. Let me go get them." John peered at the baby hidden in the blankets. "She's beautiful."

"Thank you, Mr. Bates."

"It's just John, now, Mr. Branson."

"And it's just Tom."

John nodded then left to go and call for Charles and Elsie. He knew the two of them would be surprised, although, now that he thought about it, none of them should be. Lady Sybil had always been the one closest to Elsie, although the woman had never let on that she held a fondness for the girl. Unlike Charles who had always shown his favoritism for Lady Mary.

"Charles. Elsie. You've someone here to see you."

Charles raised an eyebrow as he and Elsie finished coming down the stairs. "Who?"

"Take a look and see." John smiled.

Elsie rolled her eyes and skirted around the men, stopping in her tracks as she came out into the shop. "Lady Sybil," she whispered. "Mr. Branson."

"Can't you call me Tom, Mrs. Carson? You've no reason to be so formal with me now."

Elsie smiled at the young man and nodded, giving in to him wish. "Alright, Tom. What have we here?" she asked as she moved closer to Sybil.

Sybil gently eased the baby into Elsie's arms. "Meet Katie Branson."

Elsie cuddled the baby close, smiling when blue eyes opened and stared up at her. "What a lovely wee bairn," she whispered.

Sybil blinked. She'd never heard Mrs. Carson's accent so pronounced before. "It's quite lovely."

Elsie frowned as she looked up at the young woman. "What is?"

Blushing, Sybil shrugged. "Your accent. Why did you hide it?"

"It wouldn't do for a maid at Downton to talk so thick no one could understand her."

Charles moved closer, his hands on Elsie's shoulders. "They made fun of her, Lady Sybil. It was the only reason. Your grandfather rather enjoyed hearing her."

Elsie raised an eyebrow up at her husband. "What?"

Charles chuckled, "Didn't you ever wonder how he just happened to wander into rooms you were working in?"

"I still don't understand."

"You had a tendency to let your control slip when something wouldn't go your way while you were cleaning. The old Earl loved to hear your accent, especially when you'd let loose a few curses."

Elsie blushed slightly. "Heaven what the Dowager must have thought."

"She never knew." Charles winked at her then looked down at the baby. "She's as beautiful as her mother was. Katie, you say? And how did that go over?"

Tom laughed, "Better than the Catholic christening."

Elsie nodded. "Oh my. I'm sure that was met with silence."

"It was." Sybil sighed then looked up at Charles. "But things are changing. If only Papa would learn to let go like you did, Mr. Carson."

"I don't want him to learn the way I did. You just let him be." Charles smiled at the young woman then looked back down at the baby in his wife's arms. "Let Lady Katie take care of your father."

Sybil felt her lips tremble as she reached out and rested a hand on Elsie's arm. "I'm so very happy you're okay, Mrs. Carson. I didn't get the chance to see you and tell you before you moved here."

Elsie carefully handed the baby to Charles, winking at him when he snuggled her close. "You make her look like a doll, Charles."

Charles smiled. "She might as well be with me holding her."

Elsie caressed his arm then turned back to Sybil. "Thank you, Lady Sybil. You were a bit busy when we moved. The wee one kept you otherwise occupied. I appreciate you bringing her here to see us. Charles would have missed not seeing the next generation of his girls."

Sybil's eyes watered. "It wasn't him I brought her for," she whispered.

Elsie felt the tug at her heart and pulled the girl into her arms. "You were always the sweetest spirit in the house," she whispered. "You gave this woman's lonely heart some warmth over the years." Sniffing when she pulled back, she wiped at Sybil's tears. "I remember the first time I found you in my sitting room."

Sybil laughed, her lips trembling. "Mary had informed me I was adopted."

"And your little heart was completely broken. I've still never understood why you came to me."

"Maybe she sensed another sad heart?" Tom asked as he handed Sybil a handkerchief.

Sybil shook her head no. "That wasn't why."

"Then why?"

"Because you always had a smile for me and never ignored me like the others. And you never scolded like Nanny did when you'd find me where I really shouldn't have been."

Elsie laughed, "Like the drawing room bouncing on the settee?"

Sybil blushed and laughed, "Yes."

Charles smiled. "How did I not know about this?"

"Because it was our little secret. Just like you knowing about the old Earl's fascination with my accent." Elsie looked up at him then took the baby from him and handed her back to her mother.

"Mrs. Patmore." Sybil smiled. "It's good to see you."

"Hello, Lady Sybil." Beryl returned her smile. "How's the babe?"

"Growing." Sybil answered then sighed when Katie began to fuss. "And getting hungry."

"We should be going. We're keeping the two of you from whatever you were doing." Tom said as he helped wrap the baby up a bit tighter.

Elsie frowned. "Oh my, we really should be leaving. Wouldn't want to upset Beth's father and mother-in-law."

Sybil gave her a sympathetic look. "They aren't very nice people."

"So you've met them, then?"

"Once and made sure to stay away after."

Charles laughed then shook Tom's hand. "Thank you for coming to see us. We appreciate it. Why don't you go up with Beryl and see Anna before you leave? I'm sure she'd enjoy seeing the babe."

"That she would." John spoke up as he came back into the room, having gone up to see Anna while the others were talking.

"Would it be alright if we stay long enough for the baby to eat?" Sybil asked as she patted Katie's back.

"Perfectly. I'm sure Beryl wouldn't mind making some tea."

"Not at all." Beryl smiled. "Come along then. Tom can stay with John and have a chat."

"I guess she's told me." Tom whispered as he winked at Elsie. "Go on then. Don't make yourselves late. I'll enjoy a bit of time with John. I've no one really to talk to other than Matthew but he's been too busy these days."

"Come on then, Elsie. Let's go and get this day over with."

Elsie tucked her hand in the crook of Charles' arm as they made their way out of the shop. "Thank you for sharing that story with Lady Sybil."

"No need to thank me, Lass, but you're welcome all the same." Charles winked at her, knowing that she'd actually been thanking him for telling her.

Squeezing his arm, Elsie sighed in contentment. "Do you think we could go and visit Isobel and Richard tomorrow?"

"We'll ring them when we return to the shop and see if it's alright." Charles shook his head. "I can't believe they've married."

"I'm not surprised, really. After what we went through, they didn't want to waste time. I'm happy for them."

"So am I. And I'm happy to have friends. Although I find it amazing the people I'm friends with."

Elsie laughed and gently caressed his arm. "I always knew there was something softer under that gruff and stuffy butler, now so do the others."

"Your love makes me that way, Elsie. Having you back in my life, healthy and happy."

"Do you miss it, Darling? Any at all?"

"Not like I thought I would. I've too much to fill my days to miss it."

"And soon there'll be more."

"The wee bairn of John and Anna." Charles winked at her when she huffed at his trying to sound like her.

"John and Anna's wee bairn wasn't all that I meant."

"I do hope that's the news Charlie and Bethy wish to tell us. Although, how do you think his parents will take that sort of news?"

"No better than they took the news that Beth's parents were in service, I suspect. A babe will mean even more ties to us and less chance of them getting Charlie to leave Beth."

Charles growled at that. "I still can't believe they've tried that. Our Bethy was good enough before, she's no different now."

"No, Darling, she isn't." Elsie soothed him. "Well, here we are. At least we've this bit of a trip before we have to face the Camerons."

"It will give you time to rest before facing that awful woman." Charles scowled as they settled into their car.

Elsie patted his thigh as she let her head rest against his arm. "You rest, too. He isn't any better than she is. You'll need to be at your best to keep from snapping at him."

Charles pressed a kiss to her head as he reached out to squeeze her hand. "Fair enough."

CnE

"You can't be serious." Lady Bradana nearly screeched. "How could you let this happen? Do you know what this will do to our family's good name? Isn't it bad enough that you've married a servant's daughter?"

"Enough!" Elsie shouted, blue eyes sparking fire as she stared at the woman sitting primly on the settee across from she and Charles. "Our daughter is no less than you! She was raised a lady, in a good home. She was never a servant. I'll not let you make what should be a happy time for them miserable because of your lack of kindness. I won't!"

Charlie blinked as he looked from his mother-in-law to his wife. Leaning over, he whispered in her ear, "It would seem you inherited the dragon from your mother."

"All fire and ice." Elisabeth whispered back with pride.

"Now see here! I'll not have my wife talked to like that by the likes of a mere servant!"

Charles narrowed his eyes as he stood up and stared down at the man, his height coming into play as it always had when he was intimidating someone. "And I'll not have the likes of you yelling at my wife for defending our daughter. We're no longer in service. We own our own shop." Moving closer, he leaned down until he was nearly in the man's face. "There was a time when I would have let you walk all over me, and my wife, but I've changed. I'm not that man anymore. The rules by which I lived my life then are no longer in play. I'm sure if you wanted, you could close our shop, and send us out on our ears. But," his eyes gleamed. "I don't think you're going to do that. I happen to know a thing or two about you, Sir. You forget, I used to stand at the ready in the drawing room at Grantham House while the men sat about talking."

Charlie watched his father's face pale. Hmm, seems his father-in-law knew some things his father didn't wish to get around. "I think we've had enough of this. Mother. Father. I'd like the two of you to leave now. I believe it would be best for the two of you to stay away until you're ready to accept Elisabeth as she is. You were once perfectly content with her as a daughter-in-law. Nothing has changed. If you want to see your grandchild, if you care, you'll go back to being content."

Charles moved back to Elsie's side, his large hand wrapping around her smaller one as they watched the other couple get up and leave in a huff. "I'm sorry," he said quietly once they were gone.

Elisabeth moved to her father and wrapped her arms around him. "No need to apologize, Da. It was rather nice having a father to stand up for me."

Wrapping his free arm around her, Charles kissed the top of her head. "I'm very happy for the two of you, Bethy. Your mother and I are looking forward to being grandparents."

Elsie smiled at her daughter. "You'll have to promise to leave the wee one with us when you want some time to yourselves."

"I'm sure she'll wrap her grandda around her little finger." Elisabeth smiled up at her father when she pulled away to hug her mother.

"She, Lass?" Elsie asked. "Might be a he."

"And he'll have his little hand round his grandmama's heart." Charlie winked at Elsie. "You know. When we were children, I nicknamed Beth, Dragon. I saw today where she got it from."

Elsie blinked in surprise as she looked up at Charles then down at her daughter who was smiling and nodding. "Dragon?" she managed. "Why would you do a thing such as that?"

Charlie blinked in surprise. "That's what she reminded me of the day she got so angry at me her eyes were like blue fire. And the words she was spewing at me," he shook his head. "I'd never heard such words from a girl before."

"And so he called me Dragon, and I shoved him in the pond."

Charles pulled Elsie close and pressed a kiss to her head. "It doesn't mean the same to your mother."

"I don't understand." Elisabeth frowned as she studied her mother. "It's done in fun. It's just a pet name he has for me when I get a bit riled up."

"Excuse me." Elsie whispered as she slipped from Charles' side and walked from the room.

Charles sighed and tugged at his ear. "The term isn't a nice one for your mother. For all of the years she was Downton's housekeeper, she was called the Scottish Dragon, and treated as such. It was a derogatory name that they labeled her with. The family played on it to keep those in their employ under control. The fire breathing, emotionless dragon of below stairs," his voice trailed off as he though about how the term hurt his wife.

Charlie blinked as he looked from his father-in-law to the door Elsie had disappeared through. "I'm sorry, Da. I didn't mean to hurt her. I'm thankful for what she did today, that's all I meant."

"It's alright, Son. I'd better go after her."

"No." Charlie shook his head. "Let me. I'm the one that upset her. Let me try to fix it."

Charles nodded. "Fine then. Be easy, Son."

"I promise."

Elisabeth watched her husband leave then looked at her father. "They were cruel to her?"

"Not intentionally, Bethy. It's just that your mother was very closed off when she came back to Downton. The staff learned quickly that she took no nonsense. The maids, at least some of them, hated her because she was strict when it came to dalliances with men. They weren't allowed. And that rule angered the boys as well. She and O'Brien never got along because the lady's maid felt she shouldn't have to answer to the housekeeper. Mrs. Patmore never called her the dragon, she had her own name for her."

"And that was? They're such good friends."

"They weren't friends when Elsie came back. They argued all the time over the store cupboard key. Beryl called her the bloody queen of Scots."

Elisabeth winced at that. "Oh my."

"That didn't hurt Elsie. She knew it was only meant to rile her because Beryl thought she was being high and mighty over the key." Charles chuckled, "Beryl's temper can near match Elsie's, but she never won any of their rows."

CnE

Charlie found Elsie staring out the windows of the library. Moving to stand just behind her, he reached out and gently touched her shoulder. "I'm sorry, Mama. I didn't mean to upset you. Da explained everything. I promise that I didn't hurt Els by calling her that. She's always found it funny."

Elsie reached up and patted the young man's hand. "I'm glad it doesn't hurt her, but I wasn't called that in fun. It was who I became after Beth was lost to me. They named me that, and I gave it to them. All fire and ice, nothing else."

"No, I don't believe that. I heard too many stories about you." Charlie smiled when she looked up at him a bit startled. "The staff talks, Mama. It seems you mothered more than a few of the young ones that came and went through the Abbey's doors. I suppose that's why it shocked me that you would be called Dragon. It doesn't fit with the picture I had in my mind from the stories."

"Thank you for that, Charlie."

"Today I'm glad you were the dragon. My mother needed all that fire aimed at her." He chuckled, "Seems Da isn't so bad at being a dragon, either."

Elsie turned to smile up at her son-in-law. "I had nothing to do with that. He's his own dragon. Man has always had a temper."

"Though I suspect you won any rows the two of you have had over the years."

"Most of them." She smiled. "Come on, then. Charles will be worried about me."

"Mama?"

"Yes?" Elsie asked as she took his proffered arm.

"Why don't you and Da take some time away? Maybe go visit your sister?"

"We had time away before we took over the shop."

"That was months ago. Besides, I think Els would like to meet more of her family."

"You want us to take Beth with us?"

"No. I don't really want her traveling now. Just go see your sister. Ask her to come visit so she can meet her niece."

"I'm not sure my brother-in-law will be keen on the idea."

"Mama, are you making excuses?" Charlie asked as he looked down at her.

Elsie sighed and shook her head. "I suppose I am." Patting Charlie's arm as they entered the drawing room, she gave in only a bit. "I'll talk to Charles."

"Fair enough."