CHARLES AND ELSIE-RETIRED TOGETHER
Hello friends. Since I'm in the point of my life, when the only updates possible are the one I make during the weekend, I decided to write another chapter today, because it will probably be a week before I can have another update. This will be the continuation of Becky's visit, plus Beryl Patmore is included in the chapter, as it's integral part. Hope you will like this one.
Elsie was so satisfied with Becky's visit. It was already a mid part of the second week of her visit and all went unexpectedly well so far. Elsie knew how difficult it was to handle her little sister sometimes, what tantrums she was able to have and it didn't happened even once during her stay. She was all happy, excited and very helpful. Of course after every episode of her trying to be helpful in the kitchen, Elsie had to clean it, but she didn't mind. The most important thing was, that her sister made it through the visit and that gave hope for the future. Now, it will be possible for Becky to be their guest more often.
Charles was also contended. Deep in his heart, he was very afraid of that visit. It was different to spent few hours with Becky in her home care and it was different to have her on a regular stay in the cottage. Luckily, all his doubts were unnecessary. He spent a lot of time with Becky in the garden. She was very willing to help him in his garden work and to his surprise, she managed quite well. Even Elsie noticed, that Becky spent most of her time rather with Charles, than with her and she was teasing him about that fact, late at night.
"Let's face it Charlie...You have cast a spell on my younger sister. She follows you almost like our Rupert. She is completely under your charm.."
"What can I do Elsie? I guess that's the effect I have on women, especially the ones from the Hughes family..."
"Don't be so cocky Charlie...And remember, the Hughes sisters are the only women that you can charm, if you ever try to do it with any other woman, I will.."
"I know Elsie..You will bite her head off and eat it for supper.."
"Very likely...What have you been doing so long in the garden today?"
"We were preparing all the necessary tools for the garden. You know. Organizing the garden shed. Becky is very helpful and she is a quick learner."
"She is very easygoing, as long as you know how to handle her correctly. She can't spent too much time on one thing, because she will get bored soon."
"I noticed that.. That's why I try to balance the time between the garden work and having fun. So far, I believe I'm doing very well."
"Indeed you are...Thank you Charlie...For being so sweet and understanding for my little sis..I don't know how to thank you for that.."
"I think we will figure it out, when Becky comes back to her home care and we will be alone again..There are plenty of ways for you to thank me..."
"Oh really my dear husband? I think I'm already afraid to ask what are those ways.."-Elsie smiled to Charles warmly, stroking his chest..."It's time to say goodnight my love..We have another day ahead of us tomorrow. Beryl will come to visit me here."
"Is she really? I didn't realize...Anything wrong?"
"I guess she is a little stressed because of the wedding. It's in two weeks. She probably wants to talk about some doubts she may have.."
"Let's just hope that she won't tell you to ask Mr Mason if he wants a full marriage.."-Charles was laughing and he set aside, when he saw that Elsie was about to slap him lightly in the stomach.
"Very funny Charles Carson...I believe that you are going to rub it in me for the rest of our lives..The fact that I handled this so badly, instead of talking to you directly..."
"Well, I have to say it was quite unusual..But it's not important now how you handled it, the most important is that you've agreed on full marriage..I'm not sure what I would do if you hadn't.."
"I'm not sure what I would do either...Can't imagine not being close to you Charlie..."
"You have no idea how happy you made saying this Els...Come here, nestle into me. I want to sleep feeling you near me.."
"But what if Becky..?"
"Then will explain it to her...How much we love each other and how much we want to be close all the time, even at night time..."
"You are right Charlie...Goodnight my sweet hubby.."-Elsie gave Charlie the most delicate kiss on the lips and she nestled closely into him, putting her head on his chest.
"Goodnight my love"-He wrapped his arms protectively around her and fell asleep almost immediately, soothed with her presence.
The next day
Right after lunch, when Elsie was finishing with cleaning up the kitchen and Charles with Becky took Rupert for a walk, she heard knocking on the door. She figured that Beryl had a perfect timing.
"Hello Mrs Patmore. So good to see you. Come in."
"Hello Mrs Hughes. So nice to see you."
"Would you like some tea?"
"If it's not too much trouble.."
"Of course not. You know that I had many kitchen troubles in the past, but tea is not one of them.."
"How are you these days? And where is Mr Carson and your sister?"
"We are fine. Thank you. Charles and Becky went for a walk with the dog. They will probably go back soon."
"I take it they get along then?"
"They get along great. Much more than I would expect."
"So tell me, how are you? How are the wedding preparations? Everything going smoothly?"
"So far, so good, but I'm pretty stressed, I have to tell you. It's only two weeks."
"You will be fine. You shouldn't be stressed, this should be the day of your joy."
"I sincerely hope so.."
"What is the problem Mrs Patmore? I can see that something is bothering you..You don't look like the blooming bride.."
"Well maybe that's because I'm far from young girl, who can be called that way...I'm just a middle age woman, who was blessed with a marriage proposal...I really wish you could call me Beryl...We know each other for so long and we went through so much already...We can address each other with our first names, now that we are no longer working together, don't you think?"
"I think there is no harm in that Beryl...We've been friends forever.."
"I hope Mr Carson won't mind.."
"He'll get use to it. God knows he got used to so many new things since we got married.."
"Oh really Elsie? Now, that's something I find very interesting. Could you please elaborate?"
"Beryl! I ask you! In two weeks you will be a respectable, married woman It's not appropriate to behave that way..."
"Oh come on Elsie..You know that I just love teasing you.."
"I know, but enough about me..Tell me what's bothering you?"
"It's not that I'm very bothered, but rather worried...You see, I have a similar problem as you had before you married Mr Carson...I'm wondering about that side of marriage with Mr Mason...I don't know what to expect and I was wondering of you could ask him for me..."
"You are not serious about that Beryl? I am to go and ask him about such things?"
"I did it for you..Can't you just do me a favor? I mean you are in much better situation than I was...I wasn't even married and didn't know anything about this stuff, when you asked me to talk with Mr Carson..You are married now and you will at least know what you are talking about..."
"But that's different Beryl..You've known Charles for many years before..And I hardly know Mr Mason..How am I suppose to ask him that?"
"You will find a way Elsie..I know you will...You are handling every kind of situation with grace and dignity..You always have...Besides, Mr Mason is much more approachable than Mr Carson ever was..Even after working with him for so long, I was in a very difficult position, to start this subject with him...Please...Do it for my sake...I wouldn't ask you, if this wasn't important for me.."
"All right...I will do it...If that means so much to you...But I still find it hard to believe, that it's not a prank of some kind from you...You have no problems with joking about it with me all the time and you can't talk about it with your future husband..I find that very odd.."
"Look who's talking.."
"All right, all right...I promise I will speak to him and I will..:"-Elsie's face frowned a bit, when she realized how difficult task she has.."I see Charles and Becky are coming back."
"That means I will finally meet your little sister.."
"Looks like it..Just be gentle with her..She is very stressed with new people.."
"I will manage. Don't worry..."
Elsie saw by the window, that Charles went towards the garden shed, while Becky was going with a joyous steps towards the house. She barged inside, jumping from joy:
"Essie, Essie, I threw a stick to Rupert and he..."-she suddenly interrupted, seeing the new person that she didn't know. She stopped in the middle of the living room, not sure what to do...
"Hello Becky girl..Come here sweetie, don't be afraid...I want you to meet my best friend Beryl..."
Becky went to the table, still full of doubts about this new lady, that she has never seen before..
"Hello Becky..It's so nice to meet you..I heard so much about you and I really wanted to meet you. I'm Beryl. Can I call you Becky?"
"Hi Belyl...I'm Becky...You can call me Becky...Are you Essie's friend?"
"I am. I know Essie very long. We were working together."
"Do you know Chalie too?"
"Yes Becky. I know him too..."
"Essie is my sister you know and Chalie is my older brother..He plays with me in the garden.."
"That's nice...Do you like this house? Do you like living with Elsie and Charlie?"
"I like it very much, but I miss my friends..When will I see my friends again Essie?"
"Soon baby. You will see your friends in few days..I promise...Beryl would like some more tea?"
"Yes please.."
"Then I will go to the kitchen and make some for us. Becky will you stay with Beryl?"
"Yes..I like Belyl.."
"Thank you Becky..You are such a kind girl..."-Elsie went in the kitchen and Becky sat near Beryl, feeling that she found a new friend...
"Belyl, do you have a husband too? Like Essie?"
"No Becky, not yet, but I will have a husband soon..I'm getting married in two weeks..."
"Your husband is nice? Like Chalie?"
"He is very nice Becky."
"And he loves you? Because Chalie loves Essie and he is kissing her all the time. He is kissing her when he thinks I can't see it.."
"Does he really Becky? Thank you for telling me this.."
"No ploblem...I like you..Essie, can I go outside to play some more with Chalie and Rupert?"
Elsie, who just entered the living room, agreed to Becky's request and Becky went outside, hooping from joy, as usual.
"So, did you have a nice talk when I was in the kitchen?"
"Very nice and I found some interesting things about you and Mr Carson.."
"Such as?"
"That he loves you very much and kisses you all the time, especially when Becky can't see this and even though she does..."
Elsie's cheeks reddened..."Becky shouldn't tell you this but she is..."
"Don't worry Elsie...It's all right...I won't tell anyone. And it's obvious for me that Mr Carson loves you very much and can't keep his hands of you..You can see it in his eyes, when he looks at you.."
"Now, now Beryl...Enough of that...Few more weeks and I will have my fun about your marriage with Mr Mason.."
"Only if you talk to him..."
"I promised that I will and you can rely on me.."
Late evening...
Elsie and Charlie were lying in bed already, cuddling closely...Relaxed, because Becky was sleeping already, tired after her eventful day with Charles..Elsie wanted to tell Charles about Beryl's request, but she just couldn't find the right words...But Charles instantly noticed something untypical about Elsie's behavior.
"Sweetie, what is it? You are anxious...Something wrong with Beryl? Has she changed her mind about the wedding possibly?"
"She hasn't..She is far from it..She came to ask me a favor"
"What favor? She wants you to be her bridesmaid? Little too late for that.."
"It's not that either...She asked me to speak to Mr Mason about his marriage expectations..."
"Elsie, you are joking, right?"
"I wish I was...But I'm afraid not..."
"I can't believe that.."-Charles was laughing so hard and Elsie punched him in his chest lightly..
"It's not funny Charles Carson and if you don't stop laughing, I promise you'll be the one who will have this talk with Mr Mason.."
"Why me? She is your friend, isn't she? It's time to taste your own medicine Elsie..."
"That's it! I'm going to sleep in the living room!"
"Oh no, you won't...Come here my treasure.."-Charles held Elsie tightly and showered her with his kisses..."It's going to be all right...You are the most sensible person that I know..You will do fine..You are always the one who deals with the most difficult situations.."
"That's exactly what Beryl told me.."
"And she was right.."
"In that case, there is nothing else for me than to do it, since everyone are praising my conversation skills so much.."
"Looks like there isn't any other way Els..."
"I will tell you one thing Charlie...That's the last time, I will let anybody enter the intimate sphere of my life..It's much better when we left these things to ourselves.."
"I couldn't agree more..."
That's it for today my friends. It was suppose to be a short chapter..Not a chance for that apparently...Poor Elsie...Now she will find out how it is to ask her friend such thing..Sorry for any mistakes and I sincerely hope you liked it a bit..If so, please let me know...See you soon!