A/N Thank you so much for all of your kind words for the previous chapter. This chapter also takes place on Christmas Day, 1924 – or Christmas Night, really. I guess it could be follow-up to the previous chapter, in a way, but it works on its own, too.

J- Jingle Bells

December 25, 1924

Everyone else at the Abbey – family and servants alike – had gone to bed after an eventful, exhausting day; but the butler and housekeeper, newly betrothed and eager for a few precious moments alone, had waited downstairs until everyone else was tucked away.

"They've all gone up," Mrs. Hughes announced when she came to Mr. Carson's pantry door. "I've just said good night to Mrs. Patmore."

Mr. Carson looked up from the sherry he was pouring at his desk. "Finally! Some well-deserved peace and quiet. Shall we?" He held two filled glasses and motioned towards the two chairs that the couple normally occupied during their tête-à-têtes.

Mr. Carson placed the sherry glasses on the small table between the two chairs, and they settled into their seats. Once they were situated, Mrs. Hughes held out a small box that she'd brought with her.

"This is for you, Mr. Carson. Happy Christmas," she said.

"Oh! Wait a moment. I've got something for you, too." And he started to rise.

But Mrs. Hughes stopped him. "It's all right. There's no hurry. You can get it in a moment. Why don't you open this first?"

"All right, then."

Mr. Carson sat back down and accepted the box she offered him. He unwrapped it and opened it to discover a handsome leather key fob. It wasn't a terribly expensive item, but it was of good quality and attractive-looking. Smiling as he examined it, he said, "Thank you, Mrs. Hughes. It's a very fine piece."

"I thought you might need it for the keys to your new house. Of course, I bought it before I … before you … before we came to our understanding." She cast her eyes down and smiled bashfully.

"Indeed," he breathed softly. "I like it very much." He paused a moment before adding, "Especially now that it will hold a key to our new house." At that thought, they both smiled.

He set his gift aside on the table and went to his desk to retrieve two packages. Reclaiming his seat, he handed the smaller parcel to Mrs. Hughes.

She took it from him, unwrapped the box, and opened the lid, revealing a key.

"It's one of the keys to our house," Mr. Carson informed her. "I didn't buy you a key fob or anything to hold it, but I thought you might keep it on your chatelaine."

Tears pooled in Mrs. Hughes's eyes. "Thank you, Mr. Carson. I will. I'll keep it with me always - to remind myself that this isn't just a dream."

"It is a dream, Mrs. Hughes, but it isn't just a dream anymore. 'Our little dream' has come true.'"

They were both silent for a time before Mr. Carson held out the second box to her. Placing the key gently on the table, she took the next package from him. When she opened it, she found a small brass hand bell.

Wrinkling her brow in confusion, she said, "Thank you, Mr. Carson, but I'm not sure I understand. What am I to do with this? This looks like something the Dowager would use to summon Miss Denker or Mr. Spratt. But I'm hardly a lady! I have no servants to summon."

"Ah, but you're wrong, Mrs. Hughes. You are a lady. You're my lady. And you can use that bell to call upon your butler," he explained seriously. "You see, for nearly my entire life, I've been answering to bells, always at someone else's behest, acquiescing to the family's needs and fancies. But that's changed now. Now, I'm subject to your requests and directives. Of course, as long as I'm still working here, I'll still have to attend to the family, but you come first. I'll answer that bell before all the others."

Mrs. Hughes was caught between tears and laughter and finally succumbed to both. "I'll not be 'summoning' you to pour my tea, Mr. Carson, but I do appreciate the meaning behind the gift. Very much. Thank you." And she reached out to hold his hand.

They chatted for a few more minutes, finished their sherry, and then decided it was time to turn in for the night.

"Let me just take my gifts and go to close up my sitting room, and then I'll come back to help you with the glasses," said Mrs. Hughes.

Mr. Carson waved her off. "There's no need. It'll only take a moment. I'll come and get you when I'm done, and we can walk up together."

She went to her sitting room, and he took the sherry glasses to the kitchen. He had just finished washing and drying them when a faint tinkling came from the housekeeper's sitting room. Obeying the summons, he presented himself at her door.

"Yes, my lady? I am at your service. Do you need something from me?" he inquired, playing along.

"Only this," she answered. She approached him, rested her hand on his shoulder, lifted herself on her toes, and tenderly kissed his cheek. When she lowered herself, they were both a little breathless.

"Well!" he said, releasing a sigh. "That particular act is outside the scope of my usual duties … but I think I can manage – on occasion." And he bent his head to place a soft, lingering kiss on her cheek.

"More than 'manage,' I'd say. That will do very nicely, thank you," she told him.

They stood gazing fondly at one another for a moment and then walked up the stairs, holding hands. When they had to part ways, Mr. Carson drew Mrs. Hughes's hand to his mouth and kissed it reverently.

"Good night, Mrs. Hughes," he said. "And Happy Christmas."

"Thank you, Mr. Carson," she returned. "It's been both."

"It certainly has," he agreed.

She retired to her bedroom, and he withdrew to his; and soon, a blissful slumber and sweet dreams of their shared future overtook them both.

A/N Thank you for reading. Please leave a review if you can spare the time. I haven't yet been able to respond to reviews from the previous chapter, but I promise I'll do that as soon as I can.

I know I've made it less than half way through the list of prompts. All I can say is … maybe I can try again next year?

To those of you who celebrate the holiday: I wish you and yours the most blessed, joyous Christmas.

To those of you who don't: I wish you many blessings and much joy.

And lots of love to all!