A/N And here, at last, is the promised sunshine; April showers be damned! It seems many of my readers, fellow shippers, friends are suffering through difficult times at the moment. I don't know what's going on in the world right now, but some dark forces must be at work. It just seems like an awful lot of you are struggling at once. This happy, fluffy Chelsie chapter is for all of you. I can't take away your troubles (and how I wish I could!), but if I can distract you from them for a few minutes, then I will be happy to have helped in some small way.

Same disclaimer as last chapter: Warning! This chapter DOES NOT contain explicit M-rated content! It DOES contain what I hope to be implicit, tasteful, delicately-worded, sensitive, inoffensive description of a devoted, married couple engaging lovingly in activities appropriate to a husband and wife. I hope you find it satisfying. I put deliberate, conscious effort into getting it just right, and I hope I've succeeded.

I will again acknowledge the same people for their help with this chapter and the last one: Kissman, HappyHeart2, and Chelsie Dagger for sharing their thoughts about writing this kind of material in general; HB Rules and caddydrummer91 for their medical advice on Mr. Carson's angina and his ability or inability to do certain things; and evitamockingbird for discussing specific ideas with me.

And to everyone who's still reading, thank you for all your support and encouragement! Please stick with me.

Chapter 36

Sometime later, Charles started to wake and became dimly aware of something warm and soft wrapped around him - something warmer and softer than any blanket he'd ever felt. Parts of this warm, soft something were also moving over his body in a most pleasant manner. As he woke further, his slumber-addled mind registered that the source of the heat, the softness, and the delightful movements was his Elsie. They were both still naked under the covers, and her bare skin against his felt divine. This arrangement was concurrently the most comfortable and the most exciting thing he'd ever felt. He kept his eyes shut and relished the contentment he felt, but his breathing and heartbeat quickened somewhat.

Charles was lying on his back, and Elsie was pressed to his side with her head on his chest. She kissed his chest lovingly, and as she moved, her breath and her hair tickled him. Then she stretched her arm across his middle and grazed her fingernails lightly up and down his arm. At the same time, she lifted her leg over his and brushed her toes delicately over his calves. She touched him in a way no one ever had before and no one else ever would. This intimacy was a privilege and a secret between just the two of them. Her touch was pure and innocent, honest and genuine, yet sensual and provocative. His heart now beat even faster and his breathing became shallower and more rapid.

Soon the effects of her devotions became too great for him to lie still any longer; he eased her onto her back and rolled himself onto his side to demonstrate his own affections. First he kissed her thoroughly. Then he pushed down the sheet and blankets to look at her. It was still dark out, and the fire was waning, but they'd left the oil lamps burning, and the flames cast a lovely glow over her figure. Elsie was even more beautiful than he could have imagined - and Heaven knew: until now, he'd had to try very, very hard not to imagine her in this way! Earlier, when he'd seen her naked body for the first time, he'd been overcome by her beauty and his own misgivings. But now he'd seen all of her and had lain naked with her all night. Though his breathing was ragged and his heart beat wildly, he felt no uncomfortable tightness in his chest. He felt a great many other forces acting on his body, but apprehension and fear were no longer among them. Last night's worries were long gone, and now Charles felt only desire.

He ran his hands reverently over his wife's skin. He noted every dip and curve, mapped each hill, valley, and plain, studied every crest and trough. She was supple and pliable in some places, firm and taut in others, but soft and smooth everywhere. As he continued his ministrations, Elsie began to squirm under his touch and make soft sounds. He wondered fleetingly if he were making her uncomfortable, but when he looked to her face, he saw that her eyes were closed and her lips were curled slightly into a contented smile, assuring him that his loving caresses were pleasing to her. Charles suddenly felt proud and honored to be the one man in the world to know her so intimately.

The culmination of the past few days' events was imminent. First he'd offered her his heart, and she'd received it gladly and promised him hers in return. Next he'd given her a ring, and she'd taken it and worn it proudly, proclaiming to the world that she was his. Then he'd pledged his love and fidelity, before God, the vicar, and all their friends, and she'd likewise sworn hers. He'd also given her his name, and she'd beamed every time someone had called her Mrs. Carson. He'd given her nearly everything that was his to give, and now only one thing remained. Carefully, he positioned himself over her and presented to her his last gift: he offered her his body, and she happily accepted him.

For a few minutes, Charles was aware of nothing save his heart thundering in his chest, his blood surging through his body, his breath heaving in his lungs, and his Elsie moving beneath him. He moved against her slowly and gently at first, hoping desperately that she was deriving as much pleasure from their union as he was. Gradually, their motions became more urgent, and when at last they could no longer contain their love, their joy burst forth with such intensity as neither had ever known.

He remained poised over her, smiling down at her, until they both had settled. The tears pooling in the corners of his eyes were matched by the glistening drops in hers. He leaned down and kissed her meaningfully, trying to express everything he couldn't put into words, and in a moment of perfect communion, he understood that she was trying to convey to him precisely the same sentiments. The final, corporal manifestation of their love now complete, they drew the covers over themselves, sank back onto the pillows, and wrapped securely in each other's arms, succumbed to a blissful exhaustion.

A/N There you have it. If any of you were hoping for more something a little more tantalizing, I hope you're not too disappointed. And if any of you were shocked by my indecency, I apologize and hope you're not too offended.

Please drop me a review and let me know what you think. I'm especially anxious over this chapter, because it's new territory for me. I would appreciate your input, and it will help if/when I write this sort of stuff again.

I was going to include some pillow talk, too, but after writing this, I'm as exhausted as our lovely couple, so the sweet nothings will have to wait until the next chapter.