Ruffled Hair
The cool breeze blowing in off the fields gently woke Elsie from her slumber. She blinked slowly at the sunlight just beginning to peek through the curtains. She had thought it would take time to get used to retirement, but sleeping in was surprisingly easy.
A low groan drew a smile to her face. She rolled over to see her husband stretching himself awake. He smiled at her, slow and sleepy.
"Good morning, Elsie."
Her eyes slid over his face, drinking in the whole of him. She reached to run her hand through his sleep ruffled hair.
"Good morning, Charlie."
Apple Scent
Watching Charlie fall asleep at the table almost made her lose her resolve in the plan she had concocted with Mrs. Patmore. She had just wanted to show him how ridiculous the amount of work he had asked of her for their new home. But a point had to be made. A clink of her spoon woke him.
Charlie was unusually slow in changing for bed. Elsie frowned at his shaking fingers. Silently she batted his hands away to do his buttons for him and then wrapped her arms around him in an apology. He still smelled of apple crumble.
Full of Colors
"I do love Autumn. It's so pretty with all of the colors."
Charlie hummed in agreement, eyes fixed on Elsie's face as she took in the changing leaves. He loved watching her enjoy herself. The relaxed joy that shone from her face out shined the reds and yellows that shaded their walk.
The crisp air added a lovely blush to her cheeks, and she had worn his favorite scarf, light blue and airy. Her usual black day dress she wore at the Abbey had been replaced by a lighter one. Charlie loved her so very much.
Autumn was indeed colorful.
Walks in the Forest
"Is riding all that you hated, then?" Mary asked, smirking.
She had finally convinced Henry to ride with her. She had taken him on one of the easier trails. Dappled sunlight shone through the trees, casting a soft green glow around them. Henry looked magnificent on horseback, as calm and collected as he was being the wheel of a car.
"Well, I certainly wouldn't say no to riding with you again. Especially since I can get you to myself."
Their laughter scattered the birds in the trees. Goodness, but did they have fun.
Mary spurred her horse onward. Henry followed.
Autumnal
Cora reached for Robert's hand, pulling him closer to her as they walked through the dying green of the gardens. She had asked him to go walking with her one last time before the weather turned too cold.
"I'm glad you asked me to come," Robert remarked, smiling gently. "Even if the turning of the leaves makes me feel old."
"How so?"
"Oh, you know, autumn means the seasons are getting late. As am I."
He smiled ruefully at her, but she would not have it.
"Oh, Robert," she sighed, squeezing his hand. "We aren't late. We're merely just beginning."
A/N Written from a list of prompts for October I found on Tumblr by creativepromptsforwriting
I hope to get through all 31 prompts but for now, I'll be writing drabbles for the ones that tickle my brain. Thanks for reading!