FROM REGRET TO JOY-7

Hello everyone. Thank you very much for all the reviews. I'm incredibly happy, that you like this story so much. I want it to be a light and joyful story and I'm hoping you are having fun with my weekend updates. We are going to skip time a bit in this chapter, but first things first.

Joyful and impatient expectation

His Lordship kept his promise and made no obstacles for Charles and Elsie to get married. Charles managed to organize a small wedding, in the local church and a modest reception in the servants hall, within two weeks from his conversation with Robert, just as he promised.

Robert was even understanding enough, that he took his family for a weekend away, at his cousin's mansion, just so the downstairs team could celebrate the wedding of Charles and Elsie, without an extra burden of serving the upstairs family.

The other servants were not particularly surprised, when Charles and Elsie announced their instant engagement and wedding few days later. Most of the staff, was aware of the special bond, that always existed between the downstairs bosses. Their evening night rituals with Sherry, was well known and everybody was happy for them.

There bigger shock, was an announcement about Elsie's pregnancy, a month after the wedding. Mostly because of Elsie's age and also because of the fact, that it happened so fast. Some, more observant members of the staff, probably suspected something, especially Mrs Patmore, who was a great friend of Elsie, but out of respect for her friend, she didn't say anything about it, she was simply happy about this unexpected turn of events.

As for Charles and Elsie, they couldn't be more happy. Elsie being a little terrified with her pregnancy, with a constant fear, that something may go wrong, would never admit that, but she felt safer from the day of their wedding. Their secret romance was excited and wonderfully risky, at the beginning, but in the situation in which they were now, she definitely preferred to be Charles's wife.

Their wedding was the most beautiful day of her life and in spite of it's modesty, she considered this day to be perfect, even the weather was sunny and warm this day, which they both read as a sign of approval from the higher power.

Charles was on the top of the world. He was so proud on the day that they got married. Their downstairs colleagues, who knew him as strict and always serious Mr Carson, couldn't get of an awe, when they saw his broad, radiant smile, on his wedding day. Mrs Patmore was even joking, that he was grinning like a Cheshire cat. When the vicar announced, that they are husband and wife and they were walking through the church, Charles never let go of Elsie's hand.

Soon after the wedding, they had a private talk with Robert, about changes that needed to be made, to adjust to the current situation. Elsie insisted, that she wants to work, until she will be able, which caused a protest from Charles, who was so concerned about her health. It was only after she convinced him, that sitting in the cottage all alone, would be much worse for her, than being active, he reluctantly agreed.

Robert decided to help them solve this little quarrel and he announced, that he will hire a woman, who will help Elsie with her housekeeper duties, just so she wouldn't be overwhelmed with too much work.

Elsie was reluctant to that idea at first, but she finally agreed that it was a good solution.

She was aware, that her relatively well state, will probably change soon, as the pregnancy will be more advanced.

So far, she was diligently abiding all the doctors orders and she regularly visited Dr Clarkson.

To Elsie's surprise, Charles kept his word, which he gave her, when he found out about pregnancy. He was there for her all the time. In spite of enormity of his own duties in the house, he attended every doctor's visit, he listened carefully to orders and made sure, that Elsie was sticking to it.

His care of her was amazing and Elsie knew, that she chose the best man to be the father of her child.

She kept on stroking her belly lovingly, speaking to her unborn child, asking God for a happy arrival.

Charles did the same, when they were alone, in the privacy of their new gained cottage, which they both decorated according to their taste.

He kept on touching her belly, he was enjoying the sight of it, he kissed it, when they were all alone in their bed and Elsie was touched, by the enormous love that he was showing to their baby, before it was even born. They were constantly talking about it and to Elsie's surprise, Charles left no doubts to her, what his gender preferences for the baby were. He confessed it to her one night and she was astonished.

"Elsie, I can't wait to meet our baby...I would already want to hold her in my arms..."

"Her? What makes you think it's a girl Charlie?"

"I would so much want a daughter Elsie...I'm dreaming of having a little girl, who will be as pretty as her mother and I can spoil her and give her everything she wants"

"You really surprised me Charles. I always thought, that all men want a son. And you are aware that this will probably be our only baby. I don't think that I will ever get pregnant again, so are you sure, that you want it to be a girl?"

"More than sure Elsie...I'm certain. You know what kind of relation I had with Lady Mary and you adore Lady Sybil. Wouldn't you want a girl too?"

"Yes, that was also my secret wish, but I kept it for myself, because I thought, that maybe you would prefer a boy and you would be disappointed with my wishes..."

"No, I want a girl, but if it will be a boy I will be happy too..."

"I guess the most important thing is that it will be healthy...Whatever the gender..."

"That's true Elsie, but we can dream, can we? Just imagine, such sweet, little girl, with your wonderful eyes. A little mini copy of you, laughing and crawling on the floor of our cottage...The brightest and the most beautiful creature in the world..."

"Charles Carson you are setting a high expectations for our daughter. Just let her be born first..."

"Don't worry Elsie...She will be born safely and everything is going to be all right, I promise...Didn't I keep all my promises till now?"

"You certainly have..The way you are taking care of me takes my breath away...I couldn't imagine doing it any better...Thank you..."

"You don't have to thank me my love...It's my obligation to take care of my beloved women, both of them..."

The've kissed softly and cuddled, dreaming about meeting their child...

Four months later...

Entering the seventh month of her pregnancy, Elsie was extremely pleased about her health state. Everything was going smoothly and the moment of meeting their child was getting nearer and nearer. In spite of her systematically growing size, she remained active and she was still at the Abbey everyday, which Charles condemned on a regular basis. His idea of a pregnant woman, was a woman who would sit on the sofa all day, covered with blanket and eating biscuits and scones.

Elsie was teasing Charles, that if that is his idea of a future mother, he should have married someone else, because her character was in contradiction with his vision.

They were still full of inner fear, but as the moment of labor was getting close, they had higher and higher hopes for greeting a healthy baby.

Their marriage was like a little gift from heaven and they could barely remember the time, when they were not together, it seemed so natural, like it lasted for the last twenty years.

This night, they were lying in bed, after intensive portion of mutual tenderness, that they just gave each other. Due to the advanced stage of Elsie's pregnancy and the fear, that was still in both of them, they couldn't be as active in their love life, as they were before, but that was not an obstacle for any of them. Given the current situation, they had to be creative and to Elsie's happiness, Charles was very active and full of ideas in that area and he always managed to find a new, wonderful way to satisfy his wife..

Elsie willingly reciprocated and made sure, that her husband will not miss the full intercourse. They both needed to keep this part of life active, it was necessary to strengthen their marriage.

After another satisfying love night, Elsie fell asleep swiftly, in Charles's embrace, listening to the steady rhythm of his heart, as she kept her head on his chest, and soothed, by his calming caresses of her pregnant belly.

She woke up several hours later, searching for the warm and solid body of Charles, but to her disappointment, she discovered, that he wasn't there to keep her warm and safe...In fact, he wasn't in their marital bed at all. She groaned with displeasure and decided to find out, what was her hubby doing in the middle of the night, away from her...

She was amazed, when she didn't find him either in the kitchen, or in the living room, or in the bathroom...This was really unusual. As she peeped through the window outside, she noticed a light in the garden shed, which was situated near the house. She got dressed and decided to check what was Charles up to. She quietly sneaked in that direction, opened the door to the shed and froze in amazement, when she saw something, that she would never expect to see.

Her lovely husband, who meant everything for her, but who she used to consider as a man, who has not got any kind of handicraft abilities, was carving a beautiful, wooden cradle for their child. He had his sleeves pulled up and he was totally focused on his work.

Elsie was watching him for a moment, until he noticed her standing in the door.

"Elsie, sweetie, is everything all right? Why are you up?"

"Everything is fine Charlie, don't worry. I just woke up and I couldn't find you anywhere and then I saw a light in the shed...Are you building a cradle for our baby?"

"Yes and that was suppose to be a surprise for you, my little, noisy wife..."-He came closer to her and took her in his arms..."Do you like it?"

Elsie neared the cradle and she was watching it intently...It was a little masterpiece...Perfectly done, wooden job, with fancy ornaments...If she would ever wished for a cradle for the baby, that would be it...

"Charles, I'm speechless...This is so beautiful...How long have you been doing that?"

"Few weeks...Mostly at night...When you were sleeping soundly..."

"Oh Charles, you are amazing...You are giving up your night rest, to do this little masterpiece...My love, thank you..."-Elsie had tears in her eyes...

"Sweetie, it's nothing...There isn't anything that I wouldn't do for our little baby...And for you...Besides, I think that it's a good thing, that I should get use to not sleeping at night, because when our princess will be born, we won't get much sleep...Do you like my gift?"

"This is the most amazing gift that anybody has ever given to me Charles..I love you so much..."-Elsie kissed Charlie lovingly..She was very touched...

"In that case we are even Elsie, because in two months, you will give me the most beautiful gift that I could ever wish for...Our baby...I love you..."

Charles hugged Elsie closely and they both watched Charles's amazing work, already thinking, about the moment when this cradle will be filled...

Oh dear, oh dear...How sloppy is this chapter? Very sloppy ;-) Somehow the idea of Charles carving the wooden cradle for the baby, is really appealing..Everything is going in the right direction and there is nothing more, but to wait for the baby...I hope that you liked this chapter, let me know what you think. Have a great Sunday and a very good week!