Charles finished painting the closet and left the brush on the floor. He looked at his finished work and smiled before turning to look at his wife, who was knitting. Elsie was now 30 weeks pregnant, and she looked as if she had eaten two watermelons. It had become very difficult for her to move around Downton for an entire day, so her Ladyship had decided on giving her the day off in the evenings until Baby decided to make its appearance.

-So, do you, finally, like this color Elsie? – She looked up and examined Charles' work.

-Well… I… - She looked at Charles, who sighed and picked the brush again. – I like it Charles. -He dropped the brush and run to kiss her.

-Finally. I was starting to hate the closet.

-Why don't you go and wash your hands? The nursery is almost finished. The only thing we need is to put all the clothes inside and it will be ready for Baby. We've finished for today.

-Sure. Go to bed, I'll go in a minute.

He helped her up and kissed her cheek. She walked, or better said waddle, to the Master bedroom as she heard the water running. She felt Baby kicking as she took her robe off, and smiled.

-You will be here soon honey, and I can't wait to meet you.

She was about to sit on the bed when she felt something warm sliding down her thighs. She frowned her brow and reached down to feel something wet in her hand. She brought her hand to her face.

-CHARLES!

She screamed his name when she saw the blood on her hand. She felt tears in her eyes, and her heart pounding hard inside her chest. He came running from the bathroom to find her nightgown soaked in blood and Elsie crying.

-Charles… please... help me

-Alright, deep breathes. In and out. In and out. That's it. I'm going to call Dr. Clarkson and Mrs. Crawley. You stay here, and don't panic.

-How can I not panic?! I'm bleeding! Please Charles, don't let anything harm our baby. Please.

She cried harder so Charles hugged her and kept her close to his chest, whispering things to her until he felt she had calmed down a bit, then he let her go a bit.

-I'm going to run downstairs to phone them, okay? Don't worry. I'll be right here, by your side all the way. Just lay down and try to keep calm.

She nodded and carefully laid down on the mattress. Charles kissed her lightly and run downstairs. She felt Baby kicking, and that calmed her down a bit. Charles run to the phone and after dialing Dr. Clarkson's number he waited.

-Dr. Clarkson, yes?

-This is Charles Carson.

-Oh, how are you Mr. Carson?

-There's no time for that. Dr. Clarkson, Elsie is bleeding, and a lot.

-Bleeding? I'll be right there. Where is she?

-In bed, lying down.

-Okay, don't move her and wait for me to get there. In ten minutes I'll be there.

-I'll be expecting you. Goodbye.

Charles hanged up, waited a few seconds and the dialed Mrs. Crawley's number.

-The Crawley's household, Mosley speaking.

-This is Charles Carson. I need to talk with Mrs. Crawley immediately.

-If you wait for a minute I will tell her

-Please, hurry. – He heard footsteps going away, and after a few minutes he heard footsteps coming back.

-Mr. Carson? – He heard a female voice at the other side of the receiver.

-Mrs. Crawley, Elsie is bleeding. I've already called Dr. Clarkson, but I wanted to call you.

-I'll get dressed and I'll be there in five minutes.

-Thank you Mrs. Crawley.

-How is Elsie?

-Scared. She's upstairs lying down.

-Don't let her panic. Keep her calm. Okay?

-Of course. Thank you Mrs. Crawley

He hanged up and run back upstairs. Elsie was lying on her side, with her eyes closed, one hand on her lower belly and the other one right under her bosom. She felt Baby kicking hard, as if he or she was sensing her distress.

-How are you feeling Elsie? – Charles kneeled in front of her, and placed his hand on her upper arm. - Does it hurt?

-No. It doesn't hurt, but Baby is moving a lot.

-Mrs. Crawley should be here soon, and Dr. Clarkson will be here in five minutes. Just stay calm. Feeling Baby is a good sign.

-I'm scared. What if something's wrong? What if my water broke and Baby's coming?

-You are not having pains, so Baby is not coming. And I'm sure that everything is alright. Let's try to get our minds a bit off this. What do you want to talk about?

-Could you call Downton?

-Downton? For what?

-For Beryl, just for her to know.

-I suppose I could go downstairs and phone her. You just stay calm, and if you feel anything unusual, scream my name.

Elsie nodded and took a deep breath. Charles run downstairs again and picked up the phone. He didn't know who would answer the phone at this time of night, but he didn't care as long as he did what his wife had asked him to do.

-Downton Abbey, Lady Mary speaking.

-Lady Mary this is Charles Carson, could you please ask Mrs. Patmore to come to the phone. It's an emergency.

-Is something wrong Mr. Carson?

-Elsie is bleeding. I've already called Mrs. Crawley and Dr. Clarkson, but she asked me to tell Mrs. Patmore too.

-Well Mr. Carson, I'm afraid she's not here. She went to visit her sister early this evening. Didn't she tell you?

-Oh Lord, she did, but I forgot. Sorry to have wasted your time My Lady.

-Waste my time? Carson, Mama and I are going directly to your house. Wait for us.

-My Lady, there's no need…

-We are going, and that's it. We will see you in a bit Carson.

-Of course My Lady.

He heard the line going quiet, but he didn't have much time to think. He heard the door and quickly run to open it. Mrs. Crawley was standing there with her coat and her hat on her hands.

-You said she was upstairs?

-That's right. Master bedroom, to the right. – She run upstairs, Charles closed the door and followed her.

-Hello Mrs. Carson. Your husband has told me what the problem is, and if you let me try and find Baby's heartbeat we will know if it's something serious or not.

-Do I have to move?

-A bit. I need you on your back. Mr. Carson, could you bring towels, water and a sponge? – He left the room. – Okay, I'm going to lift your night gown so I can see your belly, and I will try to hear Baby's heart. I need you to keep very still and quiet. Can you do that for me?
Elsie nodded and slowly moved on the bed. With Mrs. Crawley's help she lifted her nightgown and exposed her big and round belly, which was covered in a bit of blood. Elsie felt new tears in her eyes and tried to stay as calm as she could. Soon Charles came inside with the water and the sponge, and run to the bathroom to retrieve the towels. Mrs. Crawley picked the sponge up and placed it in the water. After a few minutes drained the water from the sponge and placed it on her belly,cleaning it from the blood.

-Now, keep still and quiet.

Mrs. Crawley placed her head on her belly and listened. She felt Baby kick her head, and after a few minutes she heard the galloping sound of Baby's heart.

-Baby's fine, so nothing to worry about.

-Then why am I bleeding so much?

-I think it has stopped now.

Charles looked at them both, with his heart on his throat. He heard the door and run downstairs. Dr. Clarkson entered without saying anything, left his hat and his coat and run upstairs.

-Mrs. Crawley! What's your diagnosis?

-Baby's heartbeat is strong and steady, and he or she is kicking, so I would say that it's not very serious. You can take a look; I was washing her a bit.

-Yes, I will take a look.

Mrs. Crawley left the sponge in the red water and stood up, leaving the end of the bed free for Dr. Clarkson. Charles couldn't see her wife like this, so he turned around when Dr. Clarkson spread her legs.

-Mrs. Carson, there's nothing to worry about. I can see the problem perfectly. – He took a small thing out of her and showed her. – This is what caused the problem.

A small sack of blood. It must have formed when you were raped, it sometimes happens, and now maybe Baby was pressuring it and it broke. I suggest you wash, put a clean nightgown on and go to bed. There's nothing to worry about.

-God, I was scared to death. I thought something was wrong with Baby.- She placed her hands on her belly and closed her eyes.

-Nothing's wrong with Baby, Elsie. He or she is alright. Thank you Dr. Clarkson, thank you Mrs. Crawley.

-If something new happens phone us.

Dr. Clarkson closed his bag and helped Elsie sit on the bed. Mrs. Crawley and Dr. Clarkson went downstairs and showed themselves out while upstairs Charles helped Elsie out of her nightgown.

-Did you call Beryl? She must be on her way.

-No, she's visiting her sister, and I didn't remember and phoned. Lady Mary and her Ladyship are on their way.

-They are coming?! – She went to the bathroom and washed the blood off her body.

-Yes, but I can talk with them; tell them what has happened so you can sleep.

-I wouldn't mind going to be, I'm so tired. This scare made me feel so… so…

-So what? – He handed her a clean nightgown.

-I just felt as if I was going to be able to protect Baby. I felt that… that it was my fault. I thought I wasn't going to be a nice mother. That I wasn't going to become a mother in the first place, and it was my entire fault.

-Don't think that. Baby is okay, and feeling all that means that you love him or her, and that you want to protect him or her. I've changed the sheets, go to sleep.

She laid down and looked at Charles. He hadn't left her side, and he wouldn't. Never.

-I will be downstairs. Don't worry. Get some sleep; we still have to finish the nursery.

-I was thinking of painting the closet in orange.

-No. – Charles stood up and went to the door. – I'm not painting anymore. No. No. No. No.

-It was a joke. – She had closed her eyes and was starting to drift of. –A joke.

-I love you Elsie. – He kissed her lightly. – And I love you too Baby. – He kissed her baby bump.

-I love you too Charles. – It was nothing more than a whisper.

Charles watched her as she fell asleep with her hands protecting Baby.