A/N: Apologies for the delay- I had no intention of leaving this at such a 'cliff-hanger' for so long but work and Christmas got in the way! Hope you all had a lovely Christmas and thank you for your patience. I hope this update offers some comfort and joy until I can update again x
Chapter 55
The room was blurry as his eyes found it difficult to focus; his eyelids heavy and his brain foggy. He strained to open his eyes, forcing them with all of his will against the tiredness he felt. He turned towards the light and suddenly recognised Elsie's favourite vase on the windowsill; the familiarity of this object temporarily easing his agitation. Maybe I've just been in a heavy sleep, he thought, as confusion still settled over him. He then suddenly became aware of something resting on his arm as he turned away from the light. It was Elsie. Both of her hands holding his larger hand so lovingly, as she slept in the chair beside their bed, sitting forward as she rested with her face against his arm. Oh god, he murmured, panic taking over him as he remembered collapsing near their cottage. Charlie! he breathed, terror seizing his heart. My god, Charlie! He said more loudly, trying to wake Elsie, as he flustered with fear, praying with every fibre of his being that Charlie was alright. He tried to move his arm to get Elsie to stir, with little success.
"Elsie!" he said as loudly as he could and finally his wife began to rouse.
"Oh Charles, you're awake!" she beamed, through red-rimmed eyes.
It was clear, even to Charles in his groggy state, that she had been crying for quite some time. He felt guilt wash over him like a tidal wave. His poor darling wife. Little did Charles know but he had been asleep for almost twenty-four hours, since his collapse the day before. Elsie had stayed awake throughout the night with him but had finally drifted off into a fitful sleep just an hour or so ago, as the events of the last day caught up with her.
"Love, I'm so sorry. Are you alright? Is Charlie alright?" he gasped, using all of the energy he had left.
She stroked her beloved husband's face, as tears trailed down her cheeks. This infuriating, lovely man.
"We are both fine Charles, shaken but fine," she soothed, stroking his face and kissing his brow.
"Where is he Elsie?" he said, struggling to speak but needing to know that his loved-ones were well.
"He's downstairs, snuggled on the sofa with his Aunt Beryl. He's fine love, he's fine. Now go back to sleep, you need to rest. We can speak more later," she lulled, caressing his face and hair as his eyelids closed again, despite his best efforts to keep them open.
"Thank god, thank god … I love you Els …" he murmured, as he drifted back to sleep.
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It was now the morning of the second day since his collapse. Following his brief stir yesterday afternoon, Charles had been sound asleep ever since. Doctor Clarkson had thought it wise to give him some sleeping medication, as significant rest was needed to begin his recovery. And he will recover Mrs Carson. This is a warning sign but as long as he makes some changes to reduce any stress, and takes the medication I prescribe, he will recover. Elsie had played these words over and over in her mind whenever she had been seized with fear. Stable Angina, Doctor Clarkson had diagnosed, and not a heart attack as she had immediately feared. Given the Butler had been asleep for the last day and a half, Charlie was yet to speak to his Pa, although Elsie had taken the little boy into the bedroom a couple of times, so that he could see that his Pa was resting and was alright.
"Is Pa really going to be alright Ma?" Charlie asked worriedly, for the umpteenth time that morning.
She smiled at her beautiful boy; he'd had such a shock and it was no wonder he needed constant reassurance.
"He is my sweetheart. He's going to be fine. Dr Clarkson is sure of it. He'll just be a little tired for a while. Once he wakes this morning, I'll take you up to see him. I know a hug from his wonderful son will make him feel even better," she said lovingly, kissing Charlie's hair, as she cuddled him to her.
Charlie smiled, cuddling closer to his Ma as he sat on her knee. They sat at the table in the kitchen whilst the Housekeeper's best friend and Charlie's much-loved Aunt, fussed around them both, looking after them devotedly and now making breakfast. The Cook hadn't left the cottage for the last two days, smothering the little boy with love whenever his Ma had to leave his side to be with his Pa. Beryl had also provided untold strength for her friend; despite Elsie's courage and positivity in front of Charlie, the Cook knew that she had been shaken to the core.
Charlie looked up at his Ma's face nervously, needing to ask one more thing, and this was something he hadn't dared ask until now.
"Ma, is it my fault that Pa is ill?" he asked, tears forming in his eyes.
The Housekeeper gasped, horrified that her son would think this for even a second. Mrs Patmore too swung around to face the little boy, from where she stood at the stove.
"Oh, my lord Charlie, no, not at all. Of course not, you haven't done anything wrong at all my sweetheart. Oh love, you are our beautiful boy, you've done nothing to cause this," she reassured, tears welling in her own eyes as she looked down at his worried little face.
"But I made him chase me," he said, his voice splintering as he admitted this. He began to sob uncontrollably.
"Oh Charlie," she gasped, bundling him up even more closely to her chest as she stroked his back and repeatedly kissed his hair. The Housekeeper shared an anxious glance with the Cook, as both women fought back tears themselves.
They hadn't known that Charlie and Charles had been playing chase, and therefore it hadn't occurred to them that Charlie would be blaming himself. In fact, they'd been praising him over and over again over the last day for running to get help.
"Charlie, my sweetheart. Playing chase with your Pa did not make him ill. He's not been well for a little while now, long before your game of chase. It wasn't your fault at all. It was no-one's fault love. Come now Charlie, look at me," she soothed, gently tipping his chin upwards so that he looked at her. Her heart broke as she looked at his watery eyes.
"Do I ever lie Charlie, hmmm?" she asked, never losing his gaze.
"No Ma, you never lie," he said with assurance, through his tears. His Ma only ever told the truth, just like his Pa.
"Then you must believe me when I tell you it wasn't your fault. You did nothing wrong at all. In fact, you did everything right my clever, wonderful little boy. You got your Pa the help that he needed. You were the bravest little boy in all of England!" she declared, a beaming smile on her face as she wiped the tears from his cheeks with her thumbs.
Charlie smiled broadly at that, as his tears finally stopped. It really wasn't my fault, he thought with much joy.
"The bravest boy in all the world in fact! I think the King himself will want to congratulate our brilliant Charlie!" Mrs Patmore added with delight, walking across to them both and wrapping her arm around the little boy's back as his mother continued to cuddle him on her knee. The Cook knelt beside Mrs Carson and Charlie.
Charlie giggled at that, smiling gloriously at his Ma and Aunt.
"My goodness, how proud your Pa is going to be when I tell him what a brave and clever little boy you were. His smile will reach from ear to ear," she jested, as she tickled her son to make him giggle some more.
Charlie rested back happily against his Ma, as his laughter calmed. The Housekeeper shared a relieved glance with the Cook as she rested her chin on his soft hair, still holding him snugly.
"My precious boy, I love you so much, and so does your Pa. Shall we ask Aunt Beryl to make us some of her delicious pancakes as a special breakfast treat?" she whispered excitedly to her sweet-toothed son.
Charlie cheered in agreement and then looked at the Cook beside him with an adorable, hopeful gaze. His Aunt Beryl laughed delightedly at him, ruffling his hair as she rose to stand.
"Pancakes it is!" the Cook cheered, as Charlie clapped his hands.
Elsie laughed at them both and finally let out the nervous breath she'd been holding for what seemed like days. At last she believed they were going to be fine. Better than fine, she reflected hopefully.
A/N: We'll find out a bit more about Charles' collapse next chapter, as well as seeing the family of three finally reunited. Please do leave a review if you have time x
