"How are we doing today my dear?" Michael excitedly said into the telephone receiver
"You sound chipper, was there a new calf on the farm?" Edith asked as she took her familiar place on the plush chair next to the telephone stand
"Edith you know that happens in spring time, we're well past all that thank God. But I'm excited because I bought my ticket home today and got a very encouraging letter from Mr. Watson, things are progressing along better than expected"
Edith's smile beamed across her face
"That's wonderful to hear, do we know when the divorce will be final?" Edith asked just as Mr. Carson walked through the great hall and seemed to move a bit quicker once he heard the word 'divorce'
"We are in the final stages in France, so all that needs to happen is for to be presented to the British courts so it could be from a few weeks to two months or a year..."
Michael heard Edith audibly sigh and could tell she was preparing for the worst
"I know love, it's the uncertainty that's the hardest. But let's take one hurdle at a time shall we?" Michael said, trying to inflect his most encouraging tone
Edith brightened at his confidence and continued
"You're right. Oh! I wanted to ask you about the bouquet I received-"
"I wonder who would send you flowers?" Michael teased as he sipped on a small glass of afternoon wine
"And three days in a row, what kind of thoughtful man do you think would be doing that?" Edith asked with the same goading tone
"I would probably assume a lovely chap who is charming, kind, romantic, dashing, all in all, wonderful I would say"
Quickly Edith responded "Sounds about right I wish you would get some tips from him Michael"
A deep chuckle emerged from Michael's chest and reverberated through the telephone
"But really they are lovely Michael thank you, I'm just wondering if I can expect more since Mama will soon run out of places to put them"
"Hmm, sorry for that. I should of remembered old Downton had a premium on space but I don't intend to stop, don't worry though they will get smaller..."
A quizzical look came over Edith's face as she tried to understand Michael's statement
"Michael, darling, I hate to break it to you but that's not usually how it works, bouquets are supposed to get bigger with time"
"I was under the impression that you and I did things a bit unconventionally, just think of it as a countdown of sorts, today we have twenty seven days left until I come home so you will be getting twenty seven flowers sometime this afternoon..."
Edith was a bit overwhelmed by the thoughtful gesture and had to take some time to compose herself
"Edith?...Still there?" Michael asked concerned that they had lost the connection
"Yes, I'm am, I'm just...it's terribly terribly sweet, Michael" Edith answered with her voice choked with emotion
"It's the least I can do for my favorite columnist, and honestly Nigel organized most of it, I just had the idea and wrote out the check, so I had some help."
"You had the thought, that's what matters most. I don't know if I should explain them to everyone it might seem like boasting"
Michael laughed to himself at Edith's apparent concern and high regard for something he thought was a small gesture
"I think you're giving me far too much credit, dear but tell me how is everyone? That Carlisle business has finally died down?"
"I think so..." Edith said thoughtfully "...of course there will still be murmurings here and there, and our more stuffy friends have been a bit frosty but Mary and Mama still receive most of the invitations they've always had, and Lord Anthony sure hasn't been dissuaded, and it helped that Carlisle's sentence came down rather quickly..."
Satisfied with the answer Michael nodded and added
"Yes, and he deserves every bit of those five years, but I am interested to see if he bounces back..."
"I for one would prefer to never hear or see from the man again" Edith remarked annoyed that Michael would entertain the idea of Carlisle returning to prominence
"Oh c'mon love, everyone likes a comeback story, maybe I just enjoyed our rivalry a bit, but I don't think we'll have to worry about him any more. Enough about that, I've been thinking about what I'll do when I return"
"You mean spending all day locked away at home with only me to keep you company?" Edith cheekily said looking around the great hall to make sure no one overheard her bold remarks
"Yes, of course, obviously darling..." Michael said with a blush even though the rest of the cafe patrons had no way of knowing what his conversation was about
"...but we will have to come up for air eventually and I...well I'd like your opinion first of all, but I was thinking of starting my own publication..."
Edith was quiet for a moment while she considered the idea, thoughts quickly ran through her head about the logistical aspect of it, building something from scratch, but also the idea of the two of them having complete control of content appealed to her
"...Edith?... Are you there?"
"Yes, Michael I'm sorry I was just thinking..." Edith trailed off
"Well, I'm dying to hear it" Michael nervously laughed into the receiver
"Yes, sorry. I think it's wonderful Michael, you have too much talent to be beholden to some paper pusher, what do you think it will be like?"
Relieved that she was supportive a grin spread across Michael's face as he went into detail about his plans
The pair discussed and swapped ideas about the concept and content of the magazine until the time to dress for dinner creeped up on Edith
"Michael, I still have some ideas and things I'd like to think about so I'll send you a letter tomorrow, but I do have one more question..."
"Alright then"
"Are you hiring columnists and where should I send my resumé?"
"Oh be serious you're going to be my partner, dear, if you like, of course. I couldn't do it without you...I need you Edith"
Michael seriously said the last bit, trying to get across that he needed her in more aspects than just his work life
"Sounds wonderful, just let me know when I can put in my notice to Douglas"
Smiling at her enthusiasm Michael tried to calm her down
"Oh not for a while, so don't go telling anyone off, it will take time to find investors, organize an office, gather essential staff, find a printer-"
"I think I can speak with Tom and Papa and find us some money" Edith confidently said
"Edith I don't know about that, Harold has quite a few contacts and I'm not too keen to have your father think I'm after his money" Michael spoke hesitantly
"Nonsense, Michael, the estate needs to diversify it's portfolio and this is a wonderful opportunity, besides since we are partners I'll be after his money as well, and I'm his daughter so he has no reason to complain"
Begrudgingly accepting the reality that he was in no place to turn down money for the magazine Michael spoke into the receiver
"Alright, just give me some time to come up with a business plan to present, I think it would be ok to bring up the idea with Tom a bit, but I just want to do this right so please don't mention anything to his Lordship"
Finding his worrying a bit silly but respecting his desire to do things properly Edith rolled her eyes and said
"Not to worry partner, I won't sabotage us. I do need to be going though I'm sure a maid is waiting on me, speak to you in a few days?"
"Wonderful, of course love. Have a good night, see you soon"
Smiling at the fact that they would actually be reunited in less than a month Edith exchanged final goodbyes with Michael and hung up the phone