"I'm tellin' you, Daisy. There are things out there that we 'ave no understanding of. I heard one of the women down in the village on about people bein' found with holes in their neck and no blood in their veins up near York!" Mrs Patmore was staring intently at the younger girl who had gone wide-eyed and pale.

"No," Daisy spluttered, twisting a towel in her hand as she stared back in horror. "That can't be true! I mean, that's just stuff from nightmares. It 'ent real. Is it, Mrs Hughes?"

Mrs Hughes smirked and shook her head. "Don't be silly. Mrs Patmore, don't be setting the poor lass up for a sleepless night. She has to be up with you in the morning, and the last thing you want is for her to be half asleep because she has been up worrying."

Mrs Patmore let out a laugh. "Oh, Daisy, I'm only messin'. Now go on, Mrs Hughes is right, you've got to be up early so you need to go to bed."

Daisy hesitated, flitting her eyes from Mrs Hughes and Mrs Patmore, trying to come to some sort of sense of the situation. Was Mrs Patmore lying? Was Mrs Hughes just trying to appease her? Was it all real? "Okay," she paused, putting the towel down. "You're only joking. Right. Yes. Goodnight." Then she turned on her heel, her eyes still wide and made her way out of the kitchen.

Mrs Hughes turned to look at Mrs Patmore before they both started giggling. "That poor girl's face. You shouldn't mess with her like that, she's an impressionable young thing who takes a lot of what people say, especially you, to heart."

Mrs Patmore grabbed a biscuit and jammed it into her mouth as she carried on smirking. "That girl has been waffling on all day about things that she has been reading in the papers. Not only that, she's been talking about monsters and the like. It's been doing my head in. Oh, I know, it was cruel, but I did hear something along those lines the other day myself."

"People talk, it's all nonsense. Are you off to bed now?" Mrs Hughes asked, taking a biscuit of her own.

"Yes. I'm all done for the day. It's been a good day. It felt nice to cook a proper meal for the family and I heard that it went down well."

"Yes. That's true. Well, goodnight then and I'll see you in the morning."

Mrs Patmore nodded her head. "Are you coming up?"

Mrs Hughes shook her head as she chewed the final piece of her biscuit. "I'll pop in to see Mr Carson before I go up."

There was a little chuckle under Mrs Patmore's breath. "Don't you ever get bored talking about work all the time?"

"We don't just talk about that you know," Mrs Hughes said with raised eyebrows. "And no, even if it was I would never get bored of spending time with him."

Mrs Patmore nodded her head with a little grin. "Right you are. Well, goodnight then."

"Goodnight." Mrs Hughes turned on her heel and headed towards Carson's pantry. When she reached the door she gave it a gentle knock before entering, and when she walked in she could see Carson holding a piece of paper in the air ahead of him as he read it to himself. "Hello," she said happily, closing the door behind her.

Carson smiled before getting to his feet, putting the piece of paper in his pocket and walking over to her. Once he was close enough she moved her arms outwards from her side before stepping into him and wrapping them tightly around his back. Once her head came into contact with his chest, she inhaled, sighing heavily as she felt his warm body against her. "Hmmm," she said under her breath, adjusting her head, wiggling it up and down as if she was trying to burrow in deeper. It was instantly comforting.

There was a gentle pull from Mrs Hughes' hands as he felt her draw him in, the warmth from her body soothing him as he rubbed her back up and down. "Have you had a good day?" he said softly, giving her a gentle kiss on the top of her head. They had seen each other a few times during the day, and if they did speak it wasn't in detail. When they were alone in the evenings they were able to speak the truth, be realistic and talk about anything that might be bothering them.

Since Carson had been back to work they had made this a common part of their evening and day. They would greet each other, hug each other and go through how their day had been. They took a moment to just be together, enjoy each other's company and acknowledge how the other person was feeling. They had grown to enjoy the fact that at times they could be this intimate behind the safety of Carson's pantry door. Sometimes the moments were fleeting if they got a moment during the day. Then there were other times, like in the evenings, when they could take as much time as they needed as most people were tucked up asleep. "I did. It was busy, and there were a few issues as there usually is. Nothing major. It was a lighter evening. They seemed lighter. I hear the dinner was a sort," she chuckled, leaning back so she could watch him talk.

A light laugh escaped under Carson's breath as he moved his eyes to meet with her. "Yes. It was nice to see them all laughing again if truth be told. I must say, it did tickle me to see so many of them under the haze of alcohol. The things they were saying would have you laughing."

As she looked up at him, being unable to stop herself from grinning, she moved one of her hands so she could rub the top of his arm. "Yes, I heard it was a spectacle. Do you want a drink? Mrs Patmore has gone up for the evening, but I can put a brew on if you want one? I thought I would check, as I wasn't sure if you wanted something a little stronger."

Thinking about what it was that he fancied, he drifted off to the task that was going to unfold and decided that he would get something stronger to steady his nerves. "No, I don't think I'd like tea this evening. I am thinking something a little stronger. I have a nice brandy if you'd like one?"

Taking a moment when his cheek was better exposed, she stood on her tiptoes and kissed it. "Yes, why not." Letting go, she moved over to her usual spot and took a seat, waiting for him to pour her a drink.

Carson was already in his cabinet with the bottle in his hand, searching for his favourite tumblers. They were crystal glass, the surface embossed with a geometric pattern that he brought out on special occasions. There weren't many possessions he had that were as fine as these, and he did enjoy getting to use them from time to time. Once he had found them he placed them onto the side and poured a reasonable amount into each. There was a slight shake to his hand as his nerves got the better of him, and he hoped that he hadn't been spotted. Turning his head slightly to see how Mrs Hughes' time was being spent, he could see that she was concentrating on a mark on her dress that she was rubbing with the tip of her nail. That sort of thing bugged her, and he could see that she was ferociously going at it to get the residue loose. Putting the lid back on the bottle he then grabbed the tumblers and handed one over to Mrs Hughes before taking a seat. They both sipped quietly, getting to know the taste of the fine liquor in their cups.

"Ooh," Mrs Hughes exclaimed, taking another sip. "This is lovely. You've been holding out it seems." The warmth moved down the back of her throat like an elixir, the citrus and fruity blast of the brandy resting heavily on her tongue. Peering over at the bottle she could see the black label, making a note of what it was called.

The brandy was moving over Carson's tongue, flowing in and out of the gaps in his teeth before he let it glide seamlessly down his throat. "Oh, yes, it is a fine one. I usually save this for special occasions."

Mrs Hughes' expression changed, a quizzical smile appearing on her face as she began to search his face for answers. "Oh, are we celebrating something?"

Without thinking, his hand had moved up to where the box was sitting in his pocket, gently reassuring himself that it was still there. Over the space of the evening, after it had been given to him, he had checked it at least a hundred times. Not only was he conscious of losing it, not that he had ever lost anything of such finery in his life, but he just needed to feel it. "I like to think we could be, that we are." The words were cryptic, but he could see the curiosity spark behind her eyes as she waited for him to elaborate.

"And what is it? We could make a toast?" Mrs Hughes lifted her arm so she could raise the tumbler into the air, the liquid sloshing from side to side, highlighting the pattern of the glass as the light shone through it.

Carson placed his tumbler down and reached to put his hand on her wrist, bringing her hand back down to the table. "Not yet," he replied gently, his thumb giving her skin a gentle caress before letting go. Then he watched as her eyebrows raised, her eyes searching his with a confused expression. This was the moment. The box with the ring in had never felt warmer, digging into his body with angular ferocity, reminding him of what was to come. The collar on his shirt suddenly felt three sizes too small, digging into his neck, making him run his finger around the edge to give him some space to breathe. Nervously, he looked back up to her face, knowing that it would comfort him and remind him of what he was about to gain.

The lighting in his pantry was never too bright, there was something about the dimness that he preferred. Even then, with the light relatively low, he could see her eyes shining out to him as she probed him for answers. Those eyes were the gateway to her soul, the beautiful deep blue of the ocean with a bounty of knowledge, wisdom and love. There was no more a beautiful thing and person on the planet than her. "Elsie," he said firmly, but with the softest tone that he could muster.

Mrs Hughes could feel a shift in him as he looked at her, and it left her feeling nervous. There was a look in his eyes that she wasn't quite familiar with. There was an intense focus there that made her wonder what was going on in his mind. Years had taught her almost everything that there was to know about in the way in which Charlie Carson acted. This was different. There was a look of determination, fear, care, happiness and worry all behind his deep brown eyes. Usually, she would speak, to ask questions and find out what was going on. At that moment, seeing that look in his eyes, she thought she better not say anything and just listen. Listening seemed important.

As he sat there, watching the cogs behind her eyes work, he thought about getting down on one knee right away but that was too obvious. Steadying himself by taking in a deep breath, he dug in his pocket for the piece of paper that he had had in his hand when she had entered, opening it out before him. "I'm going to read something to you." Inhale. Exhale. Inhale. Exhale. Breathe and read. The paper was shaking in his hand.

"Elsie. You are the sweetest melody to my ears, the sweetest taste on my lips, and the air that fills my lungs. When you aren't around it feels as if the colour of my world is dampened, dulled and lifeless. It's like suffocation, and you, my oxygen, are the thing that will keep me going." As Carson finished the sentence he hesitated, the words sounding too rigid and alien in his ears as he read. It didn't sound natural to him. It didn't sound how it should be. There should be a flow and endearment to his words that made them feel like they were from the heart. Looking down at the paper and then back up to her he sighed, folding it and putting it back into his pocket. "I don't need this. It's all in here," he said putting his hand to his chest. Instead, rather than holding the paper, he reached out to take her hand. Returning his eyes to meet hers, he felt his stomach tighten at the sight of her and he had to clear his throat.

"I know that we are different, you and I, and I know that we have not had the smoothest of journeys. However, I feel as if the fates have pulled us together at the best time. We have developed the core of our relationship over the decades. Unknown to us we have spent years courting without even realising it. When a couple usually starts that process, they spend days and weeks filling in gaps and making pathways together without really knowing each other until they are married, and yet you and I have already done that. The core and foundation of what we have is a lot older than just a few days. We have learnt what each other is about, really been able to achieve a strong level of familiarity and care. Like a friend, a best friend, you have kept your eyes on me, watched out for me and offered me support and solace whenever I have needed it. This transition from then to now, although amidst a torrid time, was almost seamless. We saw each other for what we are in each other's eyes. That familiarity drew us in and moved us closer. It was easy.

I have never felt so at peace, so comforted, so warm and so loved by another person in my life. You see me for who I am and choose me even after knowing all of my flaws. We have been in this new place for a short period, and yet, it feels like forever. It is impossible to put into words, into feasible and measurable words, as to what you mean to me. I can't measure against anything the amount of love that I feel, because it surpasses any form of tangible measurement. I will do anything and everything within my power to honour you, cherish you, make you feel loved and safe. You have made me a better person by being in my life. I feel stronger and more alive when I know that you are by my side, and it feels like I could achieve anything," he gushed as his whole face lit up with a smile.

"Every morning when I open my eyes I can not wait to see you. I wait impatiently as the moments go by for you to come downstairs and start your day. I marvel at the sight of you, feeling like I am the luckiest man on this green and glorious land. You are perfect, beautiful and you truly make me happy. When I go to bed at night I pray that my dreams are filled with you as it is agony in those hours without you"

Carson took in a deep and steadying breath before lifting her hand and pressing his lips gently against the top. Feeling so lucky, so emotional and so full of love, he returned his eyes to her face. What he was greeted with was wide, tear-filled eyes. Instinctively he wanted to comfort her but he knew that he had to finish what he had started, and it needed to be quick as he watched her bottom lip quiver. It was obvious that she was using everything that she had to keep herself in a composed state. Taking his hand, he pulled his trouser legs upwards at the knee and slid down, placing his left knee onto the floor. Using that same hand he reached into his pocket and took a firm grasp of the box, removing it and bringing it out into the open.

"I...I want to be with you for the rest of my days. I want to have you next to me when I fall asleep at night, and when I wake in the morning. I want to spend my evenings sitting with you, sitting in our armchairs by the fire, talking to you and making sure that you are happy. I want us to laugh together, cry together, walk together and live the years we have left by each others' sides. I have never felt so at peace and yet so alive than when I am with you. You are balanced, both in mind and in heart. You are as tranquil as a lake, but at the same time as ferocious as a burning fire. I feel comforted, warm and loved." A stray tear crawled down Carson's cheek. "And I never thought that it was possible to feel as strongly as I do about you. I love you," he croaked, his voice cracking as he tried to keep himself steady.

"You complete me. With all of my heart and down on one knee I want to ask you this, Elsie Hughes. Please will you do me the honour of being my wife?" Releasing her hand, he moved it to remove the lid off of the box.

Mrs Hughes was stunned. A huge and unyielding ball of emotion had built up in her chest as she sat in awe of his words. It felt like a volcano was about to erupt, and with as much self-control as she could muster she tried to keep it at bay. Seeing him look so vulnerable she also resisted smothering him in affection and comfort. The difficulty in remaining silent, her own heart telling her to react and reiterate the same sentiments to him was astounding. "Oh, you silly fool," she cried happily as she dropped to her knees to be with him on the floor. Taking her hands, she reached out to place them on either side of his face, kissing him on the lips. Pressing her nose against his, their lips but a short distance away, she laughed. "Of course I will," she whispered, her thumbs caressing his cheeks as she felt his body relax.

Taking his free hand, Carson took his arm and hooked it around her back, drawing her in so he could hold her. Relief rushed through his whole body, the adrenaline pumping violently through his system as he processed the unfolded events. Giving them both a moment, he continued to hold her until he remembered the open ring box in his other hand. Letting go, he leant back so he could remove the ring from the box, which he put back in his pocket. Mrs Hughes' hand came up, and he smiled before taking it in his and sliding the ring delicately onto her finger.

"It fits beautifully," she whispered, taking her hand so she could look at it a little closer.

Clearing his throat, Carson realised that he needed to be open about the ring and where it had come from so he could give her the options. "Now, I want to remain as transparent as possible when it comes to the ring. I have been agonising ferociously about what ring I should purchase for you, and even took it upon myself to ask Anna for some advice. In turn, Anna spoke to Lady Mary about my predicament, but only out of care. I wanted the perfect ring. I want it to be perfect and everything that you could dream of. I wanted the ring to show you what you mean to me, but also in a taste that matches your own. I am not the greatest when tasked with something surrounding female sensibilities," he chuckled.

"So it left me feeling out of sorts. Lady Mary very generously decided to gift me this ring as a token of her affection but to also aid me in my task. I say this to you in as free-spirited a way as I can. If you like this ring, if this is something that you have envisioned as being on your finger, then it is yours. If not, if there is something wrong with it or it doesn't match your tastes then we will search and search until we find the right one. In the meantime, it will represent my love for you until the point you find one that is just right. I don't want you to feel disheartened by the fact that this has belonged to Lady Mary. I don't want you to think that she has interfered, because she was just trying to help. I also don't want you to think that I took the easy option of accepting a ring from her rather than going out of my way to choose one myself. It is not like that at all. I want you to be happy, and I want the ring to be perfect. I want everything to be perfect because that is what you deserve." Carson smiled nervously, waiting to see what she said.

'Charlie," she whispered. "It's a beautiful beautiful ring." In her mind, she had gone through the different things that he had just said, and each point he had made had validity to it as being something that she would dwell on. It didn't matter though, because she knew that the sentiment behind the ring was one laced in love and affection from every direction that she looked at. It had obviously caused him distress like she knew things like that would. In her rational mind, she knew that a ring of that calibre would cost money, and if she didn't like it he would have to purchase one that he felt was similar, what he thought that she deserved. In all honesty, as she looked at the ring, she knew that it was perfect. The twisted strands of silver reminded her of the symbol for eternity, with the small diamond in the middle reminding her of the essence of their relationship. Their love together, and she knew this with certainty, was going to go on until there was not a breath in their bodies any longer. "It's perfect."

"I don't think I have ever felt so happy and so relieved," he sighed.

Seeing his face light up, and the relief wash over him made her want to reach out and give him some comfort. Taking her hand, she lifted it up and gently ran her fingers over his cheek. "Did you have any doubts I wouldn't say yes?"

"No," Carson exclaimed. "I did worry about your reaction to the ring when you heard the story behind it a little. But, I know what we mean to each other. It just felt like a big task, something that I didn't want to go wrong. I didn't want to make a fool of myself or say something that mired the situation."

"Silly man," she chuckled. "You would never make a fool of yourself, Charlie. What you said was beautiful, amazing in fact. Now," she said as she felt her knees exclaim at being down on the hard floor for so long. "Let's get us up off of this floor, shall we?"

Reaching out to take her hand, Carson smiled and realised that his legs were giving him a lot of grief. It had been many years since he had classed himself as a young man, and it felt as if the concrete was trying to flatten the curve of his already frail kneecap. "I think if you weren't here I would have to use the chair for leverage."

Once they were both back on their feet, all Mrs Hughes could think about was being close to him. The words that he had said to her had been so beautiful and flattering that she really could not love him any more than she did. It left her feeling warm, aware and very much desiring contact with him. When she smiled over at him she could already see that his arms were open and waiting for her, and she took the step until she could feel the warmth of his chest once more. Those broad hands of his then closed in around her back, gently moving up and down, sending goosebumps through her body. Every time that he touched her, she felt a burst of warmth. Now she was being held as the future Mrs Charlie Carson. The thought made her stomach do a flip, and she gripped him tighter as she felt her eyes begin to fill with tears. Never, in the history of her life, had she felt so unbelievably happy. "I do love you," she whispered. "So very very much."

Carson battled with the multitude of emotions that were coursing through him, and upon hearing her speak, everything intensified. Fireworks, molten elixir, butterflies and a sudden need to take in a deep breath consumed him. She consumed him. With every point that their bodies connected he could feel a static charge. "I know you do," he whispered in return, pressing his lips to the top of her head. "I love you, with everything."

They both fell silent as they let the events of the evening sink in, both of them feeling more alive and awake than they had in years. Like an appetite, she craved everything that there was to him. The touch of his hands on her body, the kiss of his lips on hers, the care and affection that he offered when he could. As if an addiction, the craving intensified, and she wanted more of him than what he was giving her. The feeling suddenly burned uncontrolled, like an unkempt fire, she needed him. So she released her arms and leant back so she had free reign to see his face. The distance, although required, made her body call out to him and try and move her back into his embrace. His hands released her back, but he still kept contact with her and this drove her forward.

Slowly, Mrs Hughes laced her arms around his neck so she could gently run the tips of her fingers over his exposed skin. Taking her eyes up, she stared at his slightly parted lips that still seemed to be trying to catch their breath, and then moved them to his eyes. The look that he was giving her was questioning, but at the same time, she could see that he wanted the same as she did. Tracing her fingertips backwards so she could bring them up to his face, she then returned her eyes to his lips, inching herself closer before taking the plunge.

Without hesitation, she felt him welcome her in, his hands grazing her hips before taking a firmer hold at the back. The feel of his fingers as they moved around to the back felt like fire. This soft and powerful reciprocation spurred her on, and she returned her hands to the back of his neck, hooking her arms around the back so she could draw him in. There was a slight tug from his hands as he drew her as close as he could, their bodies touching, sending shockwaves into the other as they met. Their lips, making light intimate contact, kept returning to one another in short successive movements.

The kiss began slowly like it often did as they took the time to gain synchronicity and momentum. Their lips sought each other out, taking moments to graze, envelop and explore. As they continued, Mrs Hughes could feel him begin to return her kisses with increased intensity and desire. A surge of warmth, like a hot tide, washed over her, leaving her feeling breathless as he continued. The desire, the need and the urgency were reciprocated as quickly as it was given and she couldn't help but increase her hold on the back of his neck. There was an overwhelming surge of her senses as she honed in on everything that he was doing. The way he parted his lips, the way he tried to catch his breath, the taste of the Brandy that still sat sweetly on his lips and tongue that intoxicated her anew. The way he matched her motions, fed her desires and explored with a gentle intensity was overwhelming. Something ignited inside of her like a ball of fire, consuming her conscious thoughts so that they were reduced to ash. At that moment she could not think of anything, her reactions instinctive and primal. The ball of fire that sat in the lower regions of her stomach expanded, pushing its way into every cell within her body.

The feeling began to overcome her, and she felt her body dip as she fully gave into his touch, her body falling into his grasp so he had most of her weight in his arms. A shiver cascaded from her feet to her head, and she knew that it wasn't the cold, the goosebumps covering her body with every change in touch that he had at her back. Every so often one of his hands would loosen as he gave in to her, but then he would re-firm his grip and support her.

Mrs Hughes began to feel overwhelmed by what her body was telling her to do, the primal side driving her into a place that she knew they couldn't go to. When she separated herself from him, her lips just millimetres away, she felt her head spin as if she was drunk from his kiss. Closing her eyes she inhaled deeply, taking one of her hands to his shoulder as she steadied herself. Even with her eyes closed, his breath hitting her face with intensity, she knew that his mouth was still close enough to take again. His lips, which were hovering, moved forward to gently graze hers as if to remind her that he was there if she needed him. Not being able to resist, she let her lips be drawn back in, the unadulterated yearning for him reaching a peak she didn't know existed. In just a second she was lost to him once more, letting herself experience him, the sensitivity to him reaching new heights.

Carson could feel her hunger mingling in with his own as they continued, and the rational part of his mind brought forward the dream that he had had those days before. They were confined to propriety, they were not yet wed, and although his body was pushing him with as much force as he had ever felt, he knew that they needed to calm themselves. In the height of emotion from the proposal, they were letting themselves get carried away. Of course, he wanted to continue, to allow himself to explore what it could be, but he knew that they couldn't. Reason had to overcome resolve, and he pulled himself away. "Elsie," he whispered through heavy breaths, feeling her hands move down to his hips as she tried to pull him back in.

"I know," she whispered back. "I know, Charlie." Hesitantly, she took a step back to create some space between them. The distance, as soon as it was present, made her crave his touch again. Like unruly teenagers they were being driven by urges and desires that they both assumed were past them. Both of her hands were still touching him, giving his arms a gentle rub as she tried to calm herself down.

Silence settled between them as they let their bodies begin to return to normalcy. The silence wasn't awkward, especially as they both were reliving the unforgettable moment in their minds. As alive and awake as they felt, they knew that there was so much more left to explore between them, and although not the right time to do so, it didn't stop them from wondering. Minutes passed in agonising moments, both of them trying to cool themselves down.

Carson couldn't keep his eyes off of her as they stood there, and he took his fingers and merged them with hers, feeling the cool of the metal against his skin. "And you're sure about the ring? We can go to York? Or even further if you want to look for something else? I have some money tucked away."

Mrs Hughes smiled at the sincerity behind his eyes, feeling that he needed more reassurance from her about her decision. "No, Charlie. I love it. Honestly, I do. Please do not fret. If I didn't like it you know that I would have told you by now."

"Yes, of course," he replied, moving his eyes to the clock behind her. It was late. "Oh, look at the time. Do you want to get off to bed? I don't want to keep you."

"No, Charlie. Not yet." Moving away from him, she reached out to take the chair that she had been sat in and moved it so that it was directly next to his. There wasn't a great deal of manoeuvrability, and she pushed his hand away when he tried to help. Once it was down on the floor, she sat down in it and patted the seat next to her so that he would sit down. The brandy was still sitting in their tumblers, and it would be rude to waste it. If she went up to bed now she would never be able to get to sleep, she was still on fire from the moments before. The brandy might help settle her and give her the heavy eyes she needed to be able to drift off after such an event. It also dawned on her that he had painted a picture of their life together, the pair of them sitting in their armchairs in front of the fire. Sitting side by side in their chairs was going to be the closest that they were going to get in that second, and so it would be nice to test the waters to see how the future was going to be.

Carson placed himself into the chair, and he felt Mrs Hughes reach out to take his hand, their fingers intertwining. They both reached with their free hands to take their tumblers, moving them to their lips so that they could take a sip. There was a gentle squeeze of his hand, and he turned to see that she was beaming at him with bright and wide eyes. A flash of her hands around his neck as she kissed him came to the front of his mind, and he took another sip of the brandy. This was his future, sitting side by side, enjoying their time together as the night drew in. It would be a time that was unhindered by propriety, and they would be free to explore whatever they desired without any ramification. Marriage, as sacred as it was, also released them from the bind of unwed life. This idea left him excited and impatient because there was still so much that they had left to do. The days, weeks and months that followed were most certainly going to feel long, and they needed to decide on a date. That little snippet from just a few minutes before would play over in his head until it happened again. It was an experience. It was raw. Carson felt so lucky that he was able to take the step into this unknown world with her, finally being able to understand what he had only watched in other people the years before. The looks, the gazes, the unity, the belonging, the love and the desire.

"So shall we make that toast?" Mrs Hughes piped up, lifting the tumbler into the air with a huge grin on her face.

Gripping the tumbler in his hand, Carson lifted it into the air and moved it in her direction. As he moved the tumbler so that they could collide, their eyes made contact and neither could stifle their smile. "To us," Carson said proudly, pushing his forward until he heard the clink.

"To our wonderful future, to love and to us," Mrs Hughes replied. Then they sat there together, talking into the night as if they had not a care in the world, or a job to wake up to. It didn't matter, because the high of the evening was enough to power them for days to come. The time they were spending together was worth the fatigue the following day. As impatient as they were to start their new life together, they were thankful that they were in the position they were in. They loved each other, they belonged together, and one day they would finally be married. They would quest together into the unknown bliss of marriage in unison. No longer were they alone, and although they had been there for each other for years, this deeper connection was the final piece to their lifelong quest for completeness. What more could they ask for than that?

"The greatest happiness of life is the conviction that we are loved; loved for ourselves, or rather, loved in spite of ourselves."- Victor Hugo

My oh my. I sat here today, working through this story, thinking about if I could continue it because I didn't want to let go. However, let's be realistic, I could carry on this story until I was blue in the face but it wouldn't be what I set out for it to be. I had an idea, and although it expanded far beyond what I had first thought, I knew in my heart that it was going to end here. It's been a long 17 months (OMG 17 months). I want to thank all of you that kept up with this story, no matter when you joined. I not only write this for myself, I write it for you. A lot of effort has gone into the comments of this story, and at times I have taken on your feedback and had those ideas make their way into the story itself. Feedback, no matter the tone, is valuable.

This story started as a quest to delve into the relationship between Lady Mary and Carson. As the chapters progressed I became drawn into the dynamics between Mrs Hughes and Carson, and how the storyline impacted that. Then, as it went on, it became more about Chelsie than anything else, especially once Lady Mary was returned from the woods. I adore them as a couple, and a part of me hopes that I can have my own Mr Carson one day :)

I know there are likely some holes in the plot! Some of them purposeful, others I have just missed. I like to think I touched on everything that I needed to. Maybe aside from the Lady Edith part, but then I didn't feel the need to delve into her and the letters any further. Anna was a sleuth and kept out of the way after all.

I mentioned at the end of my last chapter that I had some songs that helped me through this story, so I thought I would post them here for anyone that might be interested. (Not all of them, as that would take ages)

- Empara Mi- Shine On You.- I first heard this in my car when I was driving for work. I saw Mrs Hughes sat in the hospital, waiting for Carson to wake up. The lyrics fit perfectly. The lyrics "and take a second look and see I'm hooked On a familiar face." The chorus especially reminded me of how Carson or Mrs Hughes look at each other sometimes.

- Marina and the Diamonds- Superstar

- Room to Fall- Marshmalloe, Flux Pavillion Elohim- "at the edge of the earth, before you jump, before you curse, the world you come from, when the sky is dark and empty of stars, And the edge of the blade could end who you are. If you look could look down, then you got more room to fall. If you could look down then you haven't hit the bottom at all."- I think the lyrics speak for themselves when it comes to Lady Mary.

I dropped a tiny breadcrumb into this story that is lining up what I have in the works. It's Downton. There will be Chelsie. It could continue in this AU universe (well, post Season 4 Ep 1). There will be lots going on. I need to do some research and create a storyline to go with it. Once I have finished the stories that I said I would write for some of you, I am going to get cracking on those. I'm sure you'll figure it out if you look close enough ;)

For now, I am off to give myself a few days break before I work on the others. I will say it again, I am thankful for those of you who have followed this story. If you don't hear from me for a while, give me a prod. It is likely I am enveloped in full story research mode haha.

Katie x