AN: I'm back with another chapter long overdue. I'm settling in at my University, and with all the excitement over the upcoming final season, I was able to pick up, and jump back into this story. That being said, I'm looking for a fan that would be willing to proofread/offer feedback for the remainder of these chapters. You would get to read before anyone else! If you are interested, please pm me either on here or at .com
Thank you for all the support and patience! Enjoy!
It was late, and he was pacing the sitting room of their cottage. The fire had long since died down, and offered little more than a dim glow that was just enough light to see where he was going. For the thousandth time, he let his gaze rest upon the slumbering form of his beautiful wife. The shirt that she had been mending was draped across her lap, forgotten in her drowsiness.
She had fallen asleep some time ago, and the soft sound of her steady breathing calmed him. A shiver visibly ran through her, and he quietly crept over, carefully lifting her. Once in his strong arms, she turned, snuggling into his warm chest to steal his body heat. He smiled warmly, even though his back protested in the effort it took to hold her, and he proceeded to carry her down the hall to their bedroom. He would gladly endure a billion aches and pains just to spare her even one, and he would do anything in his power to keep her from suffering.
He gently laid her down, and pulled the sheets up over her to ensure her warmth. His beautiful Elsie. She needed him more than ever now, and he was willing to do anything for her. But how could he take care of her, when he couldn't shake his worries about their future? Tomorrow they would be meeting with his Lordship to discuss their plans, and they would hand in their notice to a place they both had called home for nearly fifty years.
A strong sense of nostalgia washed over him as he recalled the first day he had met her. She was so young and wild, and she still had her whole life ahead of her. He had never understood why she had stayed for so long. She had been offered so many things from men far more worthy than he, and yet, she never left. God, he loved her. She had wasted away the years waiting and guiding him along his way. If only he had found his courage so much sooner, their lives would be very different. That was what frightened him: the unknown. He had spent his life in control of situations, and had been able to reason out favorable conclusions more often than not. He had no way of knowing how this meeting would go, but her health and happiness meant more to him than anything in this world.
He placed a gentle kiss on her forehead, and smiled at the serenity in her expression. A small smile flickered over her lips, and it tugged at his heartstrings. With a sigh, he walked to his side of the bed, and proceeded to change into his pajamas. He crawled into bed, and sidled up to his wife. He reached over to turn out the light, and cuddled up against her. Tomorrow would be difficult, and they both needed their rest.
Elsie woke up to the warmth of the loving embrace of her sleeping husband. She rolled over to look at him, smiling at his peaceful face. It was lovely to see him like this now, knowing that today would be very stressful for both of them. They had spent most of their lives working for the Crawleys, and now they were going to leave it behind.
Sadness swept over her, and she swallowed hard. How could she leave this life behind after all these years? She closed her eyes, letting her emotions consume her.
"It will be alright," his deep voice rumbled beside her. Maybe not at first, but it will get easier for both of us both."
Elsie opened her eyes to see his loving expression, "I didn't know you were awake." She leaned into kiss him, "I just don't know what to expect. It's enough to drive me mad with my own worries."
He pulled her into his arms, "I know, and I am also uneasy. However, I will stand with you. I chose you, and you are the most important thing in this world to me. We are in this together." He took her hand in his, "We have served the family faithfully for nearly our entire lives. They understood when we married, and they will understand now. You are working far too hard for your age, as am I, and I can hardly hope to take care of you if I let my own health fall into jeopardy."
She squeezed his hand, "We had better get ready, then, before we both lose our courage."
He nodded in agreement, and proceeded to stand, stretching with a wince, "We certainly are not getting any younger." He winked at her, and then continued on with his morning routine. Before long, he was dressed, and ready to go. While he waited for his wife, he called to their dog, and took her outside to go about her business before bringing her back in for her breakfast. They had both decided that they would be going up to the house for breakfast with the staff before requesting to speak to his Lordship.
Finally, Elsie emerged from the bedroom, "My apologies, Charles. My nerves got the best of me again." She gave him a small smile, and he took the few steps to meet her before kissing her chastely.
"You are as stunning as ever, and I grow more lucky each minute that I can call you mine," he smiled, taking her hand. "Now, shall we take our leave?" She nodded, and they began their walk to the estate in silence.
"Mrs. Carson," Miss Baxter began as they finished with their breakfast, "I was wondering if I might be able to talk to you for a moment."
Elsie set her fork down, and looked to her husband for a moment before nodding, "I'm sure I could set aside a moment without Downton collapsing around us." Charles gave her a look before rising from his seat.
"I suppose one moment can be spared, Mrs. Carson," he grumbled playfully. Turning to Miss Baxter, he raised his brows in warning, "One moment, Miss Baxter." He turned on his heel, and exited the Servant's Hall, leaving Elsie to roll her eyes with a smile.
"Well, now. Shall we go to my sitting room," she asked the other woman. Baxter nodded, and Elsie led the way to her sitting room where she closed the door behind them. "I do hope this not another talk about your past, Miss Baxter." She took a seat at her desk, offering the closest seat to her company.
"Nothing of that sort, Mrs. Carson," she began nervously, unsure of her wording, "You see… It's Mr. Molesley."
Elsie immediately stood from her seat, "What about Mr. Molesley? If he has engaged in some sort of wrongdoing, it's Mr. Carson that you should be talking with!"
Phyllis held up her hands, "No! It's nothing like that, honest, Mrs. Carson!" She looked down with a small smile, "It's just well… He's asked me to marry him."
Her stern expression twisted into one of shock, "He… He proposed to you? Well, what did you say?" She took a step closer, placing her hand on Miss Baxter's.
"Nothing just yet, I told him I needed to think about it," she said nervously. "I think I love him, Mrs. Carson. I just don't want to say yes if it means that I have to leave this place. I have come to love it here. This is the first place that's ever truly felt like home."
Elsie chuckled softly, "It's almost as if I've gone back in time. I was in your exact position for many years. Mr. Carson and I were yearning for one another for decades, and we were both too afraid to act on our feelings for each other due to our worries over professionalism and our own stubbornness." She picked up the picture on her table of their wedding day, "Take it from me, Miss Baxter. Take your chance with Mr. Molesley. I wish every day that I had more time to know Mr. Carson as I do now, and you are both younger than we. Follow your heart."
Phyllis stood, bringing Elsie to her feet with her. Mrs. Carson smiled at the younger woman, and then pulled her into a hug. She smiled through the happy tears that threatened to fall, "Thank you, Mrs. Carson. Thank you for everything. I promise I'll answer him tonight. I'll do it after dinner."
Elsie smiled at her employee, and then patted her arm, "I'll be thinking of you both. Now, be off with you! We still have our jobs to do!" She watched the other woman leave, and then she sat back down with a smile on her face. It was about time Mr. Molesley was given a shot at love, and Baxter brought out the best in him. It was lovely to see them so happy. After going over her logs for another few minutes, she set about her day.
Charles carried the kettle over to the table to fill the cups of his Lordship and Lady Edith, as well as Lady Rose. His thoughts kept him busy as he poured the hot tea, but he knew he must look distracted.
"Carson," Lord Grantham interrupted as he set down his paper, "Are you listening?" Edith and Rose turned their heads to stare at the butler in confusion. Carson was usually so focused.
"My sincerest apologies, my lord. I'm afraid I lost myself in my thoughts," Charles answered. He stood up straight, all his attention focused on his Lordship. How embarrassing, he thought.
"I asked if everything was well with Mrs. Carson," Robert repeated, eyeing his butler with a mixture of amusement and worry. "Are you quite well, Carson?" It wasn't like the man to be so out of sorts, and so now he was curious.
"Again, my apologies, my lord," Carson said sheepishly. "Things with Mrs. Carson are going very well, and I am also doing well." He knew that this wasn't entirely true, but he didn't want to get into this with the ladies here. The time to talk would come later, and only once his wife was by his side.
Robert was not convinced, but had no desire to push the man. Carson had been a loyal employee for his whole time as Earl, and he had no reason to doubt him. "Well, that is good to hear." He turned to his daughter and cousin, "Well, girls, you had best be off if you wish to make it to the station on time. You still plan to go to London today?"
"Yes, Papa," Edith answered, "I have to go deal with some business in London, and Rose is coming along to meet Shrimpie for dinner." She kissed her father's cheek, and stood to leave, followed by Rose. As they left the room, Robert turned to Carson.
"Now, what is really going on, Carson? You're out of sorts this morning, and that is highly unusual for you. Is everything alright," he asked, his brow furrowing in worry.
Charles swallowed hard, "Everything is fine, my lord, I assure you that all is well." He looked down momentarily, "However, Mrs. Carson and I would like to meet with you at some point today. We would like to speak with you together."
Robert sighed, "That doesn't sound as though something good will come from it, but very well. Why don't you and Mrs. Carson meet with me in the library at 4:00? I have some business to attend to in the village, but I would be willing to meet with you when I return."
"Very well, my lord," Carson bowed, before returning back to his spot in silence. As soon as breakfast was cleared away, he would venture back downstairs to tell Elsie the details of their meeting. The nerves were beginning to eat at him once more, and he knew he needed to see her straight away so that he could steel himself before things got out of hand. As his Lordship stood, Carson rang for Mr. Molesley to come take away the breakfast dishes, and he noted that even Mr. Molesley looked more strung out than usual. He would ask later, but now he only had one thing on his mind. He needed to see his Elsie.
