A/N: So this is the last chapter before the end, the final chapter is already written and will be posted in just a few hours. Enjoy, reviews are greatly appreciated, especially since this is my first story here, hopefully I didn't miss the mark too badly!
Chapter 21
Christmas marked fourteen months since Dr. Clarkson had told Elsie she only had six to twelve months to live. Bloody quack, Charles thought as he pulled Elsie even tighter into his embrace. They still had two hours before they had to be at the main house, and while it was a Thursday Charles had convinced Elsie to indulge him in some Christmas time adult cheer. Now she rested contently in his arms, in fact, if he listened closely he was fairly certain he could hear her purring.
"Elsie, I think we might have to get up soon." He whispered into her ear a short while later, gently taking the lobe between his teeth for a little tug.
"Um, five more minutes." She mumbled, pulling his hand to her breast, urging his fingers to caress her nipple.
"You've said that for the past thirty minutes, and believe me as much as I enjoy a morning feel up, we really should get dressed now. The family expects us promptly at noon." He said, reluctantly pulling his hand from her breast and getting up.
"Before we get dressed Charles, there is a present under the tree I'd like you to open." She said, pulling the covers up to her chest to cover herself.
"Which one?" He said, confused.
"The rectangular red one with the green bow, go get it and bring it in here." She said smiling.
He quickly left the room and returned with said present and an excited look on his face. He is a child at Christmas, Elsie thought to herself with a giggle.
"What is it!?" He asked, not even comprehending that he could simply open it.
"Well look and see for yourself. I know its early, but it might be nice to have for today." She said, holding her breath waiting for his reaction.
He tore the present open, with probably more force then was truly necessary but none the less. Tears began to form in his eyes as he pulled out a mauve shirt and a blue tie, noting that they matched exactly the skirt and shirt she had just finished making for herself.
"Oh Elsie!" He said, speechless, a thing that was becoming more and more common in Elsie's midst.
"Well I realized if I made a skirt instead of a dress I'd have enough material to make you something as well. Now I realize that this might be a bit silly, matching outfits but well…I hoped you would like it." She said, trying to hide her emotions away, preparing herself for him to hate it, ready to conceal her disappointment at a moments notice.
"Oh Elsie! I love it. Its wonderful, oh love, I would happily match you any day. I'll wear this today to luncheon, will you wear yours as well."
"I will if that wont embarrass you too much." She said, letting the happiness at his joy and appreciation seep into her face.
"Oh love, it would be the highlight of my Christmas," an awkward pause, "after this morning of course." He said, a look of relief came to her face as she got up and began dressing for the day.
Charles had arranged a snowball fight on the grounds of Downton Abbey, all the footman and maids, and even a few of the family had joined in, running around throwing snowballs at one another. Elsie and Charles had sat by the window watching it all unfold when they noticed Daisy had fallen.
"Charles go help her!" Elsie cried, to which Charles quickly got up and ran outside helping the young lady back up to her feet. Then suddenly, without warning he felt a snowball hit him square in the back. He turned quickly to find Elsie standing at the front door, another snowball in her hand, laughing quiet hardily.
"Elise Hughes! You devilish woman! You ought to at least put on gloves!"
"Oh spoil sport! She said, launching the second one which ended up landing in the snow just before his feet."
"I always said you couldn't hit the broad side of a barn!" He hollered, heading towards her.
"More like the broad side of a butler!" she laughed, ducking back inside the house.
When he finally caught up with her she was back in the living room watching the fight continue, hardly anyone had even noticed the older couple coming out or going back into the house.
"Elsie, your hands are freezing!" Charles said, taking them in his own.
"Then perhaps you should take me home and warm them." She said with a wink.
"Elsie, three times a week." He reminded her.
"Spoil sport." She whispered leaning over and kissing him.
In the weeks following Christmas Elsie had developed a slight cough. Though neither Charles nor herself let it stop her. For valentines day Charles had arranged a bit of a surprise, taking Elsie over to the big house that night they arrived to find the grand hallway had been converted into an amateur opera house. As Charles and Elsie sat in the front row the gramophone began playing the score of The Magic Flute. Lady Rose, Lady Edith, Lady Mary and a few of their friends then came out and acted out the various roles of the show, trying frequently, with little success to mouth the words. Elsie watched in delight as they girls fumbled and bumbled out a performance not to be forgotten in Opera's grand and illustrious history. Lady Mary for herself seemed to enjoy performing quiet immensely, she'd been given the role of the Queen of the Night, the irony had not been lost on Elsie or Charles in that casting choice.
By the end of March Elsie's cough had still not gone away, it had begun to develop into a great problem, she had begun losing sleep at night, and Dr. Clarkson had quickly prescribed a sleeping aid for her.
April 4th was the last time they made love. It was a Tuesday night and though they had not kept perfectly on schedule since the end of February they still found comfort in each others arms at least once a week.. This night however, they were on fire. Somehow they both silently understood this would be the last time, this would be the last opportunity to squeeze every ounce of pleasure out of each others flesh, and they wasted not kiss, stroke or moment. Hours later they lay entangled together, both contently smiling, knowing that this truly was not the ultimate expression of their love. That their love for each other could be expressed in the simplest smile or the softest kiss, the ultimate expression of their love for one another was every moment of every day, they lived as people in love with each breath.