"I can't believe how frigid it is outside. The house is going to take forever to heat up."
Charles and Elsie are working together to prepare the fires in their cottage. The temperature dropped suddenly in the afternoon and now they are trying to warm their home before temperatures drop further.
As soon as the fires were roaring, they grab the warmest blankets they could find and cuddled in each other's warmth on the settee. Elsie is shivering slightly, which is instantly cured by his large, soft hands caressing her arms and back.
"The windows are already fogging up, and the fire's only started." Elsie is nuzzled tightly into Charles they look out the window.
"But what are those designs on the window?" Charles seems a little flabbergasted at the new development. As the cottage became warmer, the windows become tinted with the freezing cold.
Elsie smiles and releases a soft chuckle. "Those lovely designs are illustrated by Miss Sybbie. It looks like she had a grand old time while she and Tom were visiting the other day." The pane is decorated in drawings made with little fingers: snowflakes, a Christmas tree, hearts, portraits of her and her father, of George and Marigold, of the Abbey itself. What catches both of their attention is in the corner… an attempt in handwriting:
mstr n mss kawsun
It is sprawled and hard to read, but to them it's clear as day. But just to make sure Elsie asks, "Is that what I think it says?"
"It sure is. Mr. and Mrs. Carson."
She shakes her head in disbelief. "That wee lass is so smart, just like her parents. She will be reading and writing in no time!" Both are silent for a minute and Charles notices Elsie's somber expression. "I will miss them when they go to America."
"As will I, but Mr. Branson will write often I presume. Hopefully they will visit sometime in the near future...The summer perhaps." Charles hugs her closer to him, "At least we have Miss Sybil's drawings to look at. Although I will say she forgot something crucial on one of them?"
"What is it?"
Charles releases her and walks to the window. She can't see what he's doing for he purposely blocks her view. When he steps away, he reveals his addition: a heart around their names.
"There. Much better."