IF YOU WANT ME YOU CAN HAVE ME-PART 18
Hello all. I've managed to survive this difficult first week of changes in my life. It's like literally my first free afternoon this week and what am I doing instead of getting some rest? Writing Chelsie ;-) Thank you for all your constant support. To this and to my other stories. As I mentioned I won't be able to write often now, but I really want to finish this one at least. I have a specific plan for them here, but I need to get there. I sincerely hope that you are not bored with this story by now. I'm slowly heading to an end, but still need few more chapters to finish.
The honeymoon is over and our love birds are getting back to the big house, to meet their very dear colleagues and employers. Some happy moments are included here, but there are also some dark clouds gathering above their heads.
The moment when Charles and Elsie crossed the threshold of Downton, they were welcomed by their colleagues, waiting for them in the servants hall, which was decorated with colorful ornaments. The table was filled with wine and various delicacies. All the servants were gathered around the table to greet them and as soon as they entered the hall, everybody was cheering for them.
"Here is our happy couple. They even managed to survive their honeymoon and happily return to us"-Mrs Patmore said with a wide grin on her face.
"Welcome back Mr and Mrs Carson. So good to have you back here"-Daisy was sincerely happy to see them.
"It's so nice to see you again, here with us."-Mr Molseley said, shaking Mr Carson's hand.
"Mr and Mrs Carson, you look like you really had a good rest those last few days"-Miss Baxter made an observation.
"Mr Carson you are finally back to your duties. I'll be more than happy to give you the report about the state of the house"-Mr Barrow said cheekily.
Charles and Elsie were very happy, seeing this warm welcome from their work colleagues. It made them feel easier during those first, a little awkward moments, when they went back to Downton in a different role. Not only as a butler and the housekeeper, but also as husband and wife. This was something that required adjusting not only from them, but also from the people that they were working with, but fortunately it looked that it's not going to be a big problem.
"Thank you for your warm welcome. I think it's safe to say in the name of both of us, that we are truly touched by your efforts and we are happy to be back."-Charles said those words, coming from the bottom of his heart, still feeling a bit uneasy, being in the centre of attention and having to deal with expressing his emotions so openly in front of other people.
The atmosphere was really amazing, they were all talking, laughing and having a jolly time. Soon this little gathering gained a special meaning, when the family went downstairs to greet the heads of downstairs.
"Mr Carson, Mrs Hug..I mean Mrs Carson...So good to see you both. It's more than obvious that marriage suits you both"-Robert made his cordial greeting toward the couple.
"Thank you My Lord. I'm not complaining. Marriage indeed made me a happy man."-Charles was beaming, hearing all those compliments constantly.
"Mrs Carson you look amazing. I can see that your husband takes a good care of you"-Cora said with a warm voice.
"Indeed he does My Lady. He takes good care of me and I take a good care of him"-Elsie looked at her husband lovingly, which did not come unnoticed with Cora.
"Carson, you are finally back. It's good to know that everything will be on it's place again. I hope that it's going to be a long time before we will have to do without you being present"-Lady Mary's greeting could not have been said without a snipe remark.
"I'm back for good My Lady. Ready to serve you and the family, as I always have."
Elsie frowned hearing those words. She has never warmed up towards that girl and it looked like that ain't gonna change. Once again that old feeling of rivalry with Lady Mary about Charles's feelings returned to her..Luckily-she thought- the situation is quite different now. This little, uppity minx has no idea that now I have an enormous asset in my hands and my prevalence is meaningful.
The little gathering was slowly heading to an end and the servants were coming back to their duties. In all the confusion Elsie didn't notice that His Lordship asked Charles for a talk and they both went to his pantry. She hurried into her sitting room and decided to get to work immediately, but Beryl had other plans and she followed her.
"It's nice to see you so happy. What a difference few days of marriage life can make. Who would of thought that our old grump can make a woman that blossoming"-Beryl decided that now is as good as any occasion to tease Elsie a bit.
"Thank you very much Mrs Patmore. That is true that my dear husband is making me very happy."
"Mrs Patmore? When I came to visit you I was Beryl and now we are back to Mrs Patmore?"
'Well, that was in private. We are at work here. We should address each other properly."
"Oh dear Lord. Few days with our stiff butler and you are already singing the way he is. He must have a strong effect on you."
Hearing those words Elsie's eyes changed it's expression, when she suddenly remembered all those delightful moments with her husband. Of course he had an effect on her, little did Beryl know what kind of effect that was..She blushed at the very thought and Beryl noticed that immediately...
"My, my...Blurry eyes. So Charles Carson can do some magic tricks that made our beloved housekeeper that distracted? I'm beginning to regret that I didn't try my luck with him when I had a chance."
"Mrs Patmore. Really! You need to stop that and by the way I'm glad that you haven't, because I like you very much, but if I noticed that you are even trying to do something towards Mr Carson I would have to scratch your eyes out! Now, no more of that nonsense. We have to go back to work, so get away with you!"
"Fair enough. You know I'm only teasing you. Even if I would have tried to near him, he wouldn't even notice that. Ever since you came to the house no other woman existed for him and I'm really happy that you finally got married and you are so happy. But don't expect to me stop teasing you. It's all I have left, now that I lost my dear friend."
"You haven't lost me. I'm still here and you can always count on me. Even if I find your constant teasing annoying at times. Now off to the kitchen with you! I have work to do!"
Meanwhile, in Charles's pantry...
"I realize that I'm asking a lot from you Carson. Especially now, when you just got married and you are so happy with Mrs Hugh...Carson, but I wouldn't have asked you about it if it wasn't so important."
"My Lord, I understand. I know my duties here and I know that if you could found any other solution you would have. Are we talking about a month here, or longer?"
"A month. Not longer. I know it's a lot to ask, but Lady Mary insisted that you come with us. She and Tom are having some important business plans and they though that the season in London is the perfect opportunity to combine social events and business. Mary can't imagine that Barrow could replace you during that period. So will you do it? Will you come with us to London for the season, even though I promise you that you can take your wife to Scarborough?"
"I will My Lord. If Lady Mary needs my presence, then I will put my private plans aside."
"Thank you Carson. I knew I could count on you. I promise that as soon as we will come back, I will give you and your wife three weeks off and you can enjoy the real honeymoon trip."
"Thank you My Lord. That's very kind of you."
"Is marriage life the way you expected it to be? You seem really happy."
"It is My Lord. In fact it's much more than I expected it to be, but that's probably because my wife is such an exceptional woman."
"Indeed she is. We all know and admire Mrs Hugh..Mrs Carson very well. I'm glad that you found happiness. I will tell Lady Mary that you agreed to go with us. I will let you go back to work now."
Robert left the room, leaving Charles in a state of a light shock. It was not that he was especially surprised about His Lordship's request. After all he was his employee and he had a right to ask him to go to London, if that's what the situation required. Any other, less considerate employer, would have just given him his decision, without asking for understanding. Charles sat on his chair, with a deep sigh. He had been married only few days, but he already knew that it would be an awful thing to part with Elsie. Now, when they were so close, when he had troubles with staying away from her for more than an hour. When he was addicted from her closeness, her kisses, her caresses, from the way she looked at him, from the words that she had whispered into his ear. Felt like a nightmare that returned. They spent so many years apart, searching for a way to be together and now when they were finally connected, they had to part again. He rubbed his temple with his hands, wondering how on earth will he be able to give Elsie this message...
So that's all for today. I know that this chapter is not so good, nothing special, but believe me it's difficult for me to focus. Anyway I hope that you won't totally hate it. I think that's the first chapter in which so many other characters (downstairs and upstairs) have appeared. Thanks for reading, reviewing and still sticking to the story. Sorry for any mistakes and see you soon! I'll try to update as soon as I will be able to.