CHARLES AND ELSIE-RETIRED TOGETHER
Hello dear people. Yesterday I was wondering, if I should end this story, because the circumstances were favorable to do that, since I gave a happy ending to almost all of the downstairs group, but because you still like the story and I still have ideas, I decided to continue. It probably won't be long till the end, but for now, we are staying with retired Chelsie. In this chapter, Charles and Elsie are going to a pig show, to support Lady Mary and Elsie unexpectedly meets the ghost from the past. How will she react and what will Charles do about it? Hope you will like it.
Lovely spring has imperceptibly transferred into the summer. The days were long now and the weather was splendid. The nights were rainy and after them came another sunny morning.
Charles and Elsie were enjoying this beautiful weather to the fullest. Charles was working in the garden and he got so enthusiastic about it and planted so many different vegetables, that Elsie was joking that he should start a new career now and become a regular gardener, making deliveries for the Abbey.
Elsie helped him a lot and she listened carefully to his pointers about managing in the garden, unless he became more grumpy than he should be...In those cases, she used to roll her eyes and swiftly backed down into the cottage, to avoid quarrels with her husband.
Other than that, they were exceptionally happy. Their love was blossoming with a new force every single day. Elsie was keeping the cottage in perfect order and she faced with new challenges regarding her cooking skills, with different effects. At least one thing has changed for the better. Charles was no longer complaining about her cooking. When she sometimes made some new dish, trying to follow Beryl's recipe and it didn't taste as it should be, he said not one bad word to her, pretending that he really liked it. There was only one incident, when she made a dinner which was totally uneatable and the dinner ended with bursting of laughter from both of them and a visit in a local pub...
Both of them felt that this was the best time in their lives..When they could finally be themselves. Without any restrictions connected to their job. When they were visiting the Abbey, they were always greeted with signs of joy and respect from their colleagues and from the family, when they happen to meet someone from the upstairs.
Beryl and Mr Mason were happily married now. Elsie and Beryl had few interesting chats about the advantages of the married life. They were both focused on Daisy's upcoming wedding.
Elsie was already planning a summer visit for Becky. They've settled with Charles that they will bring her to the cottage in July, to stay with them for a whole month. They often discussed about the ease with which Becky became a part of their family now.
It was so wonderful, when they sat on the sofa in the evening, with Rupert and Fluffy around and talked about different things, enjoyed wine, read a book or simply stayed silent, cuddling closely. Each of them has thanked their lucky stars, for this wonderful turn of events in their life. It couldn't be any better than it was now.
On one June Saturday, they were preparing themselves for the annual pig show, that took place in the village. It was a very big event and they were asked by Lady Mary to participate. Not only because she presented her pig flock, but mostly because this year it was Downton, which was the place that the farmers who took care of pigs, from all over the country, were about to visit to see the finest specimens.
Elsie was not especially enthusiastic about it, but Charles was as keen as always to help Lady Mary. It was the thing that Elsie learned to accept by now...
"Charlie, why are you dressing so elegantly? It's only the pig show..."
"It is Elsie, but we will meet the whole village in there and the family and people from all over the country. I can't just look sloppy."
"You never look sloppy Charlie, but this...Don't you think you are overreacting a bit?"
"I like things to be done properly Elsie and I won't apologize for that.."
"Nor do you have to...You look very handsome, you know that...All those village women will fuss around you again..."
"Will they really? I haven't noticed.."
"Always a perfect gentleman...My dear, sweet husband..Mine and only mine.."-Elsie decided to tease Charles a bit, just before they were to left for the show...She kissed his lips softly few times, wrapping her arms around his waist and breathing in the wonderful scent of his cologne, that she adored so much...
"Only yours...Mmmm...Els...If you keep on doing that, I will start to wonder, if we should miss the show and just stay home..."
"That's an option acceptable for me..."-Elsie felt pretty amorous this afternoon..."I know I wouldn't mind that..."
"Neither would I sweetheart, but I can't let down Lady Mary..I promised to be there for her.."
"Precious Lady Mary...Of course you wouldn't let her down...How could you possibly?"
"One more moment with my delicious wife and Lady Mary will have to manage without me..."
"So, I finally did it...I won with her..At last..."
"I would say you have a powerful weapon in this fight Elsie..."
"And what might that weapon be?"
"You know very well what it might be..And if you don't remember, I will remind you when we get back from the pig show, at night time..."
"Can't wait for that..."-They've kissed lovingly, tasting each other with great pleasure...
"Now, let me get dressed, I must look good too, since I have an honor of accompany my handsome husband to the show..."
"All right love..I will wait for you downstairs"
Elsie got dressed, putting on one of her favorite violet dresses, that she received from Charles on her birthday last year. He had excellent taste in clothes. Even Elsie, who never really cared about dresses, had to admit, that this one really emphasize her beauty. She styled her hair in that casual way, that she and Charles both liked so much, with gentle waves on the side of her face and she put on the lovely hat, matching the outfit. She sprayed herself with her favorite floral scent and she was ready.
Soon they left the cottage and went towards the place of the show, in the centre of the village. Elsie took Charles's arm and they went together, smiled and happy...
The event was indeed a big one. There were a lot of people, so many of them, that it was easy to get lost in the crowd. Farmers from all over the country, village people...They hardly managed to find the family and the downstairs friends in this crowd...The contest part didn't took long and it was no surprise to anyone, that the pigs from the Abbey, again received a reward, just like last year and a year before. Even Elsie, who was not very fond of Lady Mary normally, had to admit, that she took a great care of those pigs and the reward was fully deserved. They congratulated her and Elsie noticed that Charles was beaming form joy, as it was his own merit. He was retired, but he still treated Lady Mary as she was his own daughter. Elsie didn't mind that anymore. She had his love and she knew that she was the most important person in the world for Charles, so it didn't bother her, as it did before they were married and still in Downton. They've stopped for a longer while to talk with Beryl, Mr Mason, Daisy and all the rest. After a while, they've said goodbye to them and decided to went back home, but on the way, looking one more time at some of the finest pigs from the show. When they stopped by one of the flocks and admired it, Elsie suddenly froze, when she heard a well known voice behind her:
"Elsie May Hughes! I can't believe my own eyes! Is that really you?"
Elsie and Charles turned around-he with the curiosity and she with a heavy heart, just to learn that the voice who said those words, belonged to the former Elsie's beau- Joe Burns, who was standing in front of them, with shining eyes, looking at Elsie like she was the only woman in the world...
I know that you are going to hate me now, but this is where we are stopping...I think that it is called a cliffhanger? Probably...;-) This way I have a guarantee, that you will come back to read the next chapter of the story...(Sorry, not sorry). Believe me, it is worth it...By the way, I have a very private celebration today. One year ago exactly, I have created an account on FF net and I started my fanfiction adventure. It was a great year and I wish to thank for those of you who have always supported me with their wonderful reviews, private messages etc. It's your accomplishment that I'm still here, writing my 27th story ;-) Pardon for any possible mistakes and if you liked it, please let me know. Stay safe and see you soon!