Hello all! and Happy THanksgiving! beware of the food coma! Also I would like to say i am thankful for each and everyone of you and your support and the reviews i have gotten thus far. You guys rock!

Also thanks to the amazing Beta HogwartsDuo, who makes sure my writing actually is decent. (she really is the best)

Elsie loved the holiday Lady Cora had introduced when she came over from America. The fact that it would be one less meal that she had to cook for her family didn't hurt either. Lord and Lady Grantham had made sure to invite them again this year, and Elsie could tell Emma was looking forward to going to the big house. It would also be nice for her to have another little girl to play with. Sybbie was, after all, only a year younger than Emma, and she too already knew the life of living with grandparents. (The only difference being that her Papa had not run away from his responsibility)

Charles grumbled about it the whole time. He didn't understand why they couldn't just eat in their own cottage. He knotted his tie three times before he huffed and turned to where Elsie was doing her hair. She smiled and stood up to help him with it, clicking her tongue at his grumpiness.

He straightened and went to check on Carson, who Elsie had already dressed. With little Carson in his arms, he led Emma into the room so Elsie could bring some semblance of order to their Petals messy curls.

It took half an hour to get the curls to lay properly and Elsie tied them back with a pretty red ribbon that matched the little red dress that Emma was in. They looked every bit the perfect family as they set off to the Abbey.

They entered through the servants' entrance like always. Emma ran to embrace Beryl, and Carson (who had begun to take teetering steps) squirmed in Charles's arms to get down. He latched onto Elsie's fingers and tottered along until he reached the stairs that led to the main floor.

Elsie and Beryl quietly caught up as Thomas came down and announced that Lord and Lady Grantham wanted Mr. and Mrs. Carson upstairs with the children in tow.

Emma had attached herself to Thomas's leg and was chattering happily to him about everything. (The child loved Thomas, which puzzled everyone involved, but Thomas was kind to the girl and would often have a treat for her.)

Elsie picked up Carson and Charles took Emma's hand as they headed up to the library. Thomas announced them and they were greeted by Mr. Branson and Lady Mary. As they move farther into the room Emma hid in her Nana's skirt. Isobel chuckled as she kissed Elsie's cheek and then stooped down to Emma's level.

Emma, recognizing Isobel's sweet smile, threw her arms around Isobel's neck and clung to her Nana's best friend. Isobel laughed and picked the girl up. Charles made to grab the girl, and was only stopped by Elsie's hand upon his arm. Isobel took Emma over to the settee and sat down with the little girl on her lap. Elsie took the seat beside her and the two women talked and Elsie answered questions from Cora and Lady Mary. Charles stood talking to Mr. Branson keeping a watchful eye on Carson playing with some blocks that had been left out just for him.

The door opened not too much later and in came Miss Sybbie and little Master George. Emma looked at Sybbie curiously, all her cousins being much older than she, then walked over to the little girl. Sybbie cocked her head and met Emma in the middle.

"Hello." Emma said quietly.

Sybbie smiled and launched herself at Emma and hugged her. "Hello, I'm Sybbie. What's your name? That's my Donk," she said as she pointed to Lord Grantham.

All the ladies laughed at the use of Donk, and Robert rolled his eyes.

"I'm Emma, and that's my Nana." She said pointing to Elsie. Sybbie smiled at her and the two walked over to the carpet and babbled to each other while playing with their dollies.

Elsie watched the little girls and the boys play together and then turned her attention to the older ladies. They spoke about meaningless things until the Dowager arrived. Elsie went and stood by Charles, uncomfortable in the older woman's presence. She glanced nervously at her husband, who had effectively put his impassive butler face on.

"Where's your mama?" Sybbie asked Emma.

Emma started to sniffle as she answered, "She went to be an angel. That's what my Nana told me." Tears tracked down her face as she stood up and ran to her Poppop. She reached up and he quickly stooped down to embrace her.

"Carson, why don't you take Emma into the drawing room?" Lady Cora suggested.

Charles bowed his head and carried the crying Emma into the drawing room.

Sybbie tugged on Elsie's skirt. "I didn't mean to make her cry. My mommy is with the angels, too." She sniffled. Elsie bent down and picked the little girl up and cuddled her close.

"Of course you didn't, lassie. No harm done. She just misses her mommy a lot right now. And you still have your Papa with you." Elsie soothed.

Sybbie wiggled free and went to her papa and climbed on his lap. She snuggled into his embrace as Elsie sighed and went to go into the drawing room.

She stood at the door for a moment in the hall. She felt a presence behind her before she turned and was confronted with the Dowager Countess.

"Milady, I was just about to go in, I'm sorry to keep the dinner waiting..." She trailed off as her ladyship raised an imperious eyebrow.

"Mrs. Carson, I realize how difficult things are right now for you. Especially raising two little ones. I would like to help." Lady Violet said quietly.

Elsie was taken back, "Milady, I'm not sure what you could do, short of the miracle of bringing Ella back."

Violet stepped forward and put her hand on Elsie's forearm. "I want to help financially with their schooling, and a little extra under the tree at Christmas. I was very fond of Ella, she had a spark for life that reminded me of you, but also held herself to a certain standard that reminds me of Carson...please let me help."

Elsie's eyes filled with tears, "Very well Milady, but I do have one condition. Charles, Mr. Carson, mustn't know. He wouldn't like it, Milady."

Violet nodded and handed Elsie her handkerchief. "Now go collect the rest of your family and bring them into the dining room."

"Thank you, Milady, this is a great kindness you have shown to us." Elsie said to the retreating figure before going in to collect her husband and their Petal.

-/-/-/-

The dinner went off without a hitch as the children were taken to the nursery to eat all together.

The adults all had their meals and it went well and by the time they were finished the sky had let loose with a torrent of rain. Elsie visibly tensed at the thought of the children out in the rain and as if on cue Cora asked them to stay the night.

Elsie thanked them profusely and Charles insisted he sleep in his room in the attics and Elsie would take a guest room with Carson and Emma.

She tucked the bairns in and snuck out of her allotted room and headed for Charles's room in the attics. She knocked quietly and silently giggled as she heard him grumble while coming to the door. Elsie smiled up at him and he ushered her in, knowing what she was after. He had one of her old nightgowns in his bureau. She smiled up at him as she made her way out and dropped a steamy kiss to his lips.

She made her way through the bedroom quietly and went to bathroom to change and take her hair down for the night.

She crept back into the room and slid into the bed between Emma and Carson. As she started to fall asleep she lifted a prayer of thanksgiving for her little family, and surprisingly the big heart of the Dowager Countess.

Let me know what you think!
Much Love, and Happy Thanksgiving!
Samantha=)