FROM REGRET TO JOY-10
Hello everyone. Good to be with you again. Thank you for all the reviews and all the support for this story. The good news is, that you really liked it and the bad news is, that this is the last chapter of this story. A kind of sum up for Chelsie as parents. We are making a skip in time and a kind of full circle, those of you who are reading it from the beginning, know what I am talking about. I hope you will like it.
The most wonderful of all miracles
1907
It was difficult to believe, that Joy Carson was already five years old. Charles and Elsie were wondering where the time has gone. Five years ago, they welcomed the most treasured gift that they could receive, a small and innocent creature and now their little girl was about to turn five.
The experience of being a parent turned out to be the the happiest thing in their life and they would gladly extend it a bit, but the faith decided diffrently. When Joy was almost two, Elsie got pregnant again, which was quite a surprise for her and Charles, especially considering Dr Clarkson's conviction that it will not be possible.
They both welcomed this news with an utter joy, which was swiftly interrupted, when Elsie had a miscarriage in the third month. It was a difficult time for both of them, as they really wanted to provide siblings for little Joy.
Charles was so concerned about Elsie's health, he kept on caring about her more than ever. Fortunately, physically Elsie was fine, but she had a hard time finding out from the doctor, that this time it was a definite last chance for a baby.
Elsie was blaming herself and her age and Charles was doing everything he could to convince her, that it was not her fault, he rather blamed himself, for lingering so long with starting a family. He managed to convince Elsie, that he was the happiest man of all, having her and Joy as a family.
Elsie slowly believed him, it wasn't difficult, when she saw the enormous doze of love that she received daily from her husband. He was so in love with her and he was totally crazy about little Joy.
Accepting the fact, that Joy is and will be their only child, they poured all their love for her and devoted any time they had, to raise their girl.
Joy was growing, surrounded with unconditional love from both of their parents and because she was a very bright girl, she swiftly understood, the division of parental duties between her parents- mommy was the one who loved her very much, but also tried to taught her some discipline and daddy was the one who loved so much, that he would make all her dreams come true, even the weirdest one.
It was particularly helpful, when she was eager to be a little mischief, however bad she would behave, she knew, that daddy will always forgive her.
Joy was a beautiful girl. She inherited her mommy's hair color- light brown with red streaks and and her mommy's blue eyes. To Chrles's great relief, she had Elsie's nose and a cute cheek dimples, which were visible when she smiled. She looked like a little angel and everyone were constantly praising her looks, which Elsie disapproved. She didn't want her daughter to be vain.
She was very bright girl and she liked to be in the centre of attention. She knew every corner in her cottage, but also at the Abbey. Whenever she spend time with her parents there, she was always discovering something new. She was adored by everyone at the Abbey and there was always someone willing to play with her-among the servants and even in the upstairs. Lady Sybil who was six years older than her, was her hero. Joy adored Lady Sybil and followed her everywhere like a puppy and unlike her older sisters, Sybil was giving much attention to Joy.
Charles was a little embarrassed with this unique friendship, but Elsie was fully supporting it.
When the duties at the Abbey finished, all three of them came back to the cottage and those were the moments that Joy liked the most. Frolicking with mum and dad, listening to stories, chasing around the house, eating dinner together and falling asleep with both of her parents in the big bed, made Joy the happiest girl in the village.
Charles and Elsie were trying to limit the habit of sleeping with their daughter, but sometimes they simply couldn't refuse her, when she asked them, with tears in their eyes if she can sleep with them that night. Elsie liked to have her close all the time and Charles had the same opinion, although sometimes it could be troublesome, when they were willing to be intimate with each other.
However the tremendous love for their daughter made it up for them, for all the inconvenient.
Charles and Elsie both blessed the fact, that they were together, in love and they had their beautiful girl. Elsie always repeated, that it was more than they could ask for and Charles fully agreed with her.
Joy's 5th birthday...
That was one of the greatest days for Joy and her parents. In the morning, Elsie got Joy dressed in her best dress-a blue, satin one and she put a matching ribbon into her curly hair. Joy looked so sweetly, that Elsie couldn't stop kissing her and Charles was cuddling her all the way through the breakfast.
Joy knew, that this was a special day for her and she was thrilled about her parents showing her much more love than usual.
They went to the Abbey as usual and neither of them were expecting any celebrations, because of Joy's birthday, but they were pleasantly surprised. Mrs Patmore made a special cake- Joy's favorite kind- a chocolate one. Joy thanked her favorite aunt by giving her a big kiss. She already knew, that even though aunt Beryl is sometimes harsh, she has a special place in her heart for her.
Everyone from the downstairs team gave her some little present and Charles and Elsie were touched, seeing how much their daughter is loved.
But the biggest surprise came, when Elsie was asked to go upstairs with Joy, where the family was having their afternoon tea. It turned out, that even the family had a gift for their daughter- Sybil was a keeper of all Joy's secrets and she knew, that ever since Joy came to Ripon with their parents, she couldn't stop talking about the big doll, that she saw in the window shop of one of the shops.
Sybil made sure, that her parents would buy that doll for Joy and Elsie couldn't thank enough for this lovely gift.
From this moment on, Joy was only occupied with the doll, which she already named- Caroline. She didn't want to separate with it even for a minute and so the doll accompanied her during her stay at the Abbey, during the dinner, during her evening bath and of course, she was lied in bed with Joy. She squeezed her so hard, like she was afraid, that someone may take it away from her.
"Joy, sweetie, you don't have to squeeze Caroline so hard, she will not run away. "
"She will be here in the morning?"
"Of course she will be honey. Nobody will take it away from you."
"I love Caroline, she is so pretty."
"Not as pretty as you are darling..You know that mommy loves you very much, my five year old girl?"
"And I love you two mommy...Can I stay up a little late?"
"You should go to sleep now baby...It's late..."
"Who is not sleeping yet at this hour? Is it my little princess?"- Charles came to the room unexpectedly and kissed his beloved daughter.
"Yes daddy, it's me and Caroline."
"You both should be sleeping now. It's late...You know how much daddy loves you sweetie?"
"To the moon and back"
"That's right baby...That much...Close your eyes now and soon it will be morning and you can play with Caroline again...Night my precious.."
"Goodnight daddy, goodnight mommy..."
Charles covered Joy with a blanket and they stood in silence with Elsie, watching as their daughter was slowly driffting to sleep. Regardless of how many times they were doing it, they still weren't tired with this sight...Tonight their little princess was not eager to sleep with them, as she had her dream doll near.
When she fell asleep, they left her room quietly and went to their bedroom...
When they lied on the bed, Elsie cuddled to Charles and he kissed her hair...
"Are you tired Elsie?"
"A bit. It was such a long day and such a happy day...Oh Charles...You know what I reminded myself today?"
"What honey?"
"When Lady Sybil was celebrating her 5th birhtday...Do you remember that day? How unhappy we both were that day? How disappointed with life, especially me...I was crying back then, thinking, that I will never have a daughter like Lady Sybil and now..."
"And now we have our own miracle...The prettiest and the brightest girl in the world...I will never be able to thank you enough, for giving her to me, to us...Elsie you made me so happy.."
"I know Charlie...I know, I just wish that I could give you more children..."
"Shhh Elsie...Joy is so exceptional, that she is enough for few children..."
"She is precious...Thank you Charlie..."
"For what Elsie?"
A moment ago you thanked me for giving her to you, but I could say the same thing...Thank you that you were not scared that night when we...When we conceived our sweetheart..."
"I was scared, but I was loving and wanting you more...And I'm glad that destiny brought us to the place that we are in now...I wouldn't want anything else from life, than you and Joy- my most loved girls..."
"And we wouldn't want anyone else than our dearest husband and father- Charles you, me and Joy are making a wonderful team, aren't we?"
"Indeed we do my love..."
Oh, the sweetness of the chapter...I like writing relaxed and happy Chelsie and Chelsie with children is my favorite Chelsie...That would be it for the story. I wanted to show their life regrets of not having children, because I'm sure that they were having those feelings and the unexpected joy (or Joy) that life decided to give them. I really hope, that you had fun reading the story. Once again thank you for everything and see you soon. Have a wonderful weekend!