Lady Cora looked at Elsie and smiled back at Lady Mary. For some reason, that Dr. Clarkson, Mrs. Crawley and her Ladyship had called nesting, Elsie had been taking care of every room in Downton, tiding things up, cleaning, and moving things. She was now in the library, cleaning the chimney. She had been having a few days on which she was full of energy, she couldn't stop doing things, making lists, washing Baby's things and putting them in the closet over and over again. She was 36 weeks now, and she could have sworn that she looked huge, more than a normal pregnant woman.

-Mrs. Hughes, why don't you stop doing that and sit for a bit?

-I don't feel like sitting, every time I sit I feel Baby's head low in my hips, and it's not very comfortable. I prefer to stand, that way I can breathe much better too.

-I know, but you've been moving all day. Since six you've been up. Sit for a bit, rest.

-I don't feel like resting, I feel like moving My Lady. I just know that I have to move.

She turned back to the chimney but instead of keeping on cleaning it, she placed one hand on her back and the other one on the chimney for support. This one was stronger and longer than the previous pain she had had. It started in her back and spread quickly to her abdomen and legs. She breathed slowly and waited for it to pass.

-Mrs. Hughes, are you alright?

Elsie didn't answer right away; she waited for the pain to pass before straightening her back and turning.

-Yes, I'm fine.

-If it's starting you better tell me.

-It's not starting, I'm just feeling some discomfort, but that's normal.

-Mrs. Hughes, please, tell me if it's starting. Not for me, but for Baby's sakes.

-It's not starting My Lady. I'm alright.

Elsie smiled at them and left the library. She wanted a glass of water, so she walked downstairs, carefully not to bump into Charles. She knew that if Charles found out he wouldn't let her do anything, and she couldn't stay in her bed waiting until Baby popped out. Before she reached the end of the corridor she bumped into Thomas.

-Mr. Barrow, what are you doing up here?

-I was going to ask you the same question.

-Don't use that tone with me Mr. Barrow.

-Excuse me Mrs. Green.

-Don't call me that, and go back downstairs.

-I don't want to go downstairs.

-Mr. Barrow, I'm starting to get a little angry. Go downstairs at once.

-Are you deaf Mrs. Hughes? I'm not going downstairs, and you should know that I don't follow your orders anymore. Not since you became Mr. Green's whore.

-Mr. Barrow!

She was about to scream at him when they both heard a dull "pop", as if someone had cracked their knuckles, and looked down. Elsie felt as if a 5 gallon bucket of water had spilled out, and it wouldn't stop. The floor underneath Elsie showed a big puddle of something that looked like water. Thomas looked at her and run to the library.

-My Lady, I think you should go and help the housekeeper.

-Where's Mrs. Hughes?

-In the corridor.

Once he had said that he disappeared. Lady Mary stood up and run outside to find Elsie with both her hands on her back, her eyes closed, pacing up and down the corridor.

-Mrs. Hughes, what's wrong? – She looked up.

-My water broke.

-Discomfort? We better take you downstairs.

Lady Mary grabbed her by one of her arms as Lady Cora grabbed the other one. Slowly they started walking down the corridor until they reached the stairs. They started going down the stairs as slowly as they could; giving Elsie the time she needed to move.

-Oh my God! This hurts. - She stopped suddenly and squeezed Lady Mary's and Lady Cora's hands. The pain had suddenly worsened, and it made her back hurt like hell.

-Breath Mrs. Hughes. Slowly.

-I can't breathe, this hurts.

-Try. Baby needs air. Breath. In and out. In and out. That's it.

-Oh my God, I don't know if I'm going to be able to survive that.

-I'm sure you will. Come on, let's go.

-I'm going to kill Charles. – They kept walking.

-Why?

-For putting me in this position. Next time he gives birth.

-I'm sure one day men will be able to give birth, but for now we have that job.

-He's going to die. – They got downstairs slowly.

Once there they walked to her Sitting Room and left her resting against her desk. Lady Cora run to the phone and called Ripon.

-Mr. Carson speaking.

-Good. Carson, Baby's ready, you better get here.

-Baby's coming?! How is Elsie?

-Carson, calm down. She's okay and so is Baby. Tell Lord Grantham and get here soon.

-I will. Thank you My Lady. Tell Elsie I'll be there soon and that I love her.

-I will Carson. Goodbye.

She hanged up smiling and went back to Mrs. Hughes Sitting Room. Lady Mary had taken her shoes off, and had her walking around the room.

-I've called Carson and he's on his way, and he says he loves you.

-That old sentimental fool… but his Lordship is in Ripon. I'm sorry My Lady, now they will have to come back

-Nothing to be sorry about. We should get you to your cottage.

-I'm not walking that much My Lady.

-That's why we have a car. Can you walk a bit more? Just to get to the car.

-Yes. But I'm not going back upstairs. You bring the car here.

Lady Mary smiled at her and quickly run upstairs. Lady Cora took Mary's place and kept walking around the room with her.

-How are you feeling?

-I'm fine so far. The pain is bad, but I've felt worse pains, mostly back in Scotland, when I worked in my father's farm.

-What sort of pain?

-Well, when a cow is giving birth is not very nice to get kicked by her when you are trying to help.

-That must have been nasty.

-Yes, but I'm starting to feel as if this is going to be much worse.

She felt the pain building, so she stopped walking and held on to Lady Cora's hands tightly. The pain made her open her eyes widely as she felt Baby's head go lower in her hips.

-God, I don't know if this is normal, but I feel like pushing.

-What? So soon?

-Call Mrs. Crawley, call anyone and tell them! – She was trying to breathe through the pain and was trying not to push.

-Mama, the car is waiting.

-Mary, take her to the car, and don't let her push. Don't let her. I'm going to call Mrs. Crawley and Dr. Clarkson to tell them where we are going and what's going on.

-She wants to push?! So soon?!

-Mary, do as you are told and don't ask questions! There's no time!

Mary took Elsie by her arms and helped her out of her Sitting Room. Elsie was focusing on not pushing; she didn't even notice she wasn't wearing any shoes. The maids and the footmen looked at them both with worried faces, even Anna didn't know what to do or say. Lady Mary opened the door and found the car right there, with Lady Edith on the wheel.

-How exciting. A Baby.

-Edith, shut up. Come on Mrs. Hughes, up.

She opened the door and helped her get inside, then followed her. Elsie didn't feel like sitting, for some reason she felt Baby's head on her back too, and she couldn't sit without feeling the worst pain. She rested her head on Lady Mary's shoulder, and she didn't hesitate, she took Elsie's hair down. Carefully she turned her around and made her a braid, then helped her turn back. Lady Cora closed the door and run to the car.

-Let's go. Both are on their way. I've told them you want to push, and they say that you can't, that your body can't be ready, but they will see when they arrive.

-Do they have any tips for back pain?

-They might. You will have to wait until they get here.

Edith had driven them as fast as she could to the Carson's Cottage and had parked right in front of the fence. Quickly the three of them took her and carried her inside her house, taking her to the Master bedroom. Elsie felt calmer now that she was in her house.  They quickly took her clothes off and her knickers and helped her put a nightgown on.

-Well, now we just have to wait.

-You wait, I want to push! – The contraction lasted longer and it was the worst so far. It was so painful. -Baby's in my back. My hips hurt so badly… Oh God, move it. Move Baby.

Elsie had turned white, and she was trying to breathe calmly. The shape of Baby's head could be seen in her back, but also way down in her hips. She felt as if someone had stabbed her right on her back, but at the same time she felt as if someone was squeezing her hips so tightly she couldn't move without feeling the worst pain.

-Let's try and walk a bit around the room.

She nodded and started walking. Elsie managed to move her legs, but she had tears in her eyes. Without any warning that pain she had been feeling all day worsened and turned almost constant in her back and hips. She could feel Baby's head moving, but she could feel a head way down in her hips moving too. She thought it might be her imagining things because of the pain. It was the worst pain in the world.

-How are you holding up Mrs. Hughes?

-If I talk I might scream.

-Pain's bad then. It's wasn't bad for me when I had George.

-Well you weren't a hundred years old! – Elsie screamed those words as she felt another pain coming.

It was worse than the previous one, and it made her cry as she felt Baby's head going down and the other thing that was in her hips getting even lower.

-Something's happening. I don't know what it is, but something's coming down.

-Okay, relax. Don't push. Dr. Clarkson will be here soon.

-I'm going to kill Charles!

-Breathe Elsie! Please!

Slowly the pain subsided, and Elsie was able to breathe a little better, but the urge to push was becoming a bit uncomfortable.  She panted slightly and closed her eyes. Her brain was starting to work a little less, and she felt as if she wasn't able to form a coherent sentence. All her strength was going to not pushing.

-Dr. Clarkson! Thank God, you are here.

Elsie looked up to find Dr. Clarkson and Mrs. Crawley at the door. She hadn't heard the door, but she supposed that fighting the urge to push had taken all her attention, and she hadn't seen Lady Cora leaving the room.

-I can see that things have started.

-Dr. Clarkson, she wants to push.

-Help her lay down.

Lady Mary walked to the bed with Elsie following her. Lying down was the worst thing she had ever done in her life, Baby's head was in her back, and lying down made it press on her spine. It brought tears to her eyes and made it hard to breathe.

-Mrs. Hughes, breathe normally, and spread your legs a bit.  -She did as told and felt Dr. Clarkson's hands on her body. – Well, you can't push. You still have to dilate a bit more. I would say three centimeters more.

-Can I stand up?

-Does your back hurt?

-Baby's head is in my back.

-No, Mrs. Hughes. Baby's head is low in your hips, making you want to push.

-Can't be.

-Put yourself in all fours. Let me see your back.

Carefully both Lady Mary and Mrs. Crawley helped her sit on her knees, and then helped her rest on her arms. Dr. Clarkson placed his hands on her back and applied a bit of pressure. The shape of Baby's head could be seen and could be felt.

-Looks like we have to babies. Baby one is way low in your hips, and baby two is in your back. We must wait; we can't do anything but wait until you are ready.

-What?! – Elsie was finding it a bit difficult to assimilate what he had just told her.

-Why don't you walk a bit around the room? It might help.

-I… I'm tired. I don't want to walk.

-If you are tired, then ley down.

-No. I'm not lying down.

-Then stay in all fours, if you feel okay that way then don't move.

-My back doesn't hurt that much like this. Could someone give me a back rub?

-Mrs. Crawley will you do it? I'm going to prepare this room for the birth, but something tells me we are still in for a few more hours.

-Where the hell is Charles?! – Elsie was breathing heavily as she felt a new pain coming.

-Probably he's about to get here. It's been an hour since we called.

-How long has it been since my water broke?

-Two to three hours.

-That long?!

-You've been busy. – Mrs. Crawley had jumped on the bed and was rubbing her back downwards, never upwards.

Elsie closed her eyes and rocked her hips lightly. She felt calm, with everyone here, helping her. She began to nod off.

-Is she falling asleep? – Dr. Clarkson whispered as he rolled his sleeves up.

-I think so. We better don't wake her, she needs the sleep.

-You bet she needs it; she's been up since six.

-Probably the pains will wake her up, but she will nod off between contractions.

Elsie felt Baby's head moving, and her or him kicking, but she was tired and she wanted to sleep. She didn't stop rocking her hips; it helped her to cope with the pain in her hips. The urge to push was less now, and she liked that.

-Mary, could you go downstairs and open the door? – Lady Cora had a wet cloth in her hand, and was placing it on Elsie's neck and upper back.

-Of course.

-Tell Carson to keep quiet, she finally fell asleep.

-Fluffy pillows.

She smiled and walked quietly downstairs. She opened the door and waited. They should be in Downton by now, and it made her wonder if Elsie was thinking the same as she was. That she was giving birth to Mr. Green's babies. She didn't want to think that, she wanted to really believe that they were Mr. Carson's, but she couldn't. Someone running made her forget about all that and look up. Charles had his hat in his hand, and was running to the door.

-Lady Mary, where is she?

-Carson, keep your voice down, she's upstairs sleeping.

-Sleeping?

-Yes. She was in pain, now she's in all fours in your bed with pillows everywhere. She's feeling comfortable and she needs to sleep.

We run upstairs, followed by Lady Mary, who had closed the door before that. Elsie was in the middle of a contraction, with her eyes closed, trying to breathe through it. Lady Cora had one of her hands in hers, and it was being squeezed; Mrs. Crawley was encouraging her, telling her that it would be over soon.

-Carson, how wonderful.

-How is she My Lady?

-Well, in pain, but okay. She's coping.

-How long has it been?

-Four hours now. But I believe she started having contractions at six, that's why she got up.

-Yes. I started having pains at six, but I thought it would pass.

Elsie opened her eyes and focused on Charles. He had taken his jacket off and had kneeled I front of her.

-Why didn't you tell me?

-I don't know! – She felt the pain coming, and going pretty high.

Then Mrs. Crawley and her felt more water coming out of her.

-Dr. Clarkson, I think she's ready.

-Do you want to move Mrs. Hughes?

She nodded. They helped her off the bed, and moved four chairs. Lady Mary and Lady Cora sat in two of them, and helped Elsie sit on their thighs. Dr. Clarkson moved the other two chairs to face them, and sat on them, placing Elsie's legs on each side of his body.

-Well, I can see a bit of Baby's head, I think that with three or four pushes he or she will crown. So give me a good push when the contraction comes.

She closed her eyes, took a couple of deep breathes and waited. The pain came, building and soon reached its height. Elsie squeezed Lady Mary's and Lady Cora's hands, using them both as support as she pushed. She felt Baby's head coming out.

-Good. I saw the top of Baby's head. Give me another one.

-Charles you are dead!!-  She screamed that as she pushed and the top of Baby's head came out.

-Very good, now pant. Don't push. Your body needs to get used to this before we continue.

Elsie rested her head on Lady Cora's shoulder, panting and fighting the urge to push. Pushing was good, she felt okay when she pushed. She wanted to do it again. The pain eased when she was pushing.

-Mrs. Hughes, back to work. Give me a good push. I think that two more should do it. Baby's crowning.

She nodded, took a very deep breath and pushed, turning hands white and her face turning red. Baby's head came out a little bit more. When the contraction ended she rested her head against Lady Mary's shoulder.

-Mrs. Crawley, are the towels ready?

Dr. Clarkson didn't tell her not push, so she pushed with the next contraction. She felt as if a big melon had left her body, and she smiled and breathed in relief. Dr. Clarkson had his hands on Baby's head, supporting it. He cleaned its nose and mouth and cleaning it a bit with a towel. Baby started crying, a pitch sharp cry. Elsie listened to the marvelous sound, and forgot about the pain.

-Mrs. Hughes, give me a few more good pushes to get Baby out.

She nodded, smiling, and pushed. Baby's shoulders came out fairly quickly, and soon Baby was lying in a warm towel.

-Mr. and Mrs. Carson, congratulations, you have a healthy baby daughter.

-A girl.

Elsie laughed and cried as Mr. Carson lifted her for Elsie to see. She thought it was the most beautiful baby she had ever seen. Dr. Clarkson placed her on Elsie's chest and covered her with a towel. Charles walked to her and looked at his daughter. She had stopped crying, and with her big blue eyes she was looking at her father.

-We have a daughter Elsie. She's beautiful. – He kissed her lightly on the lips.

-Would you like to cut the cord daddy?

Charles looked at Dr. Clarkson and nodded. He cut it sharply and quickly and all of a sudden Jane Elizabeth Carson was free from her mother's body.

-Elsie, give our daughter to Mrs. Crawley so she can wash her, and we can welcome her brother or sister.

-I'm sore.

-Don't worry. Baby two won't take long. Normally in four or five pushes the twin brother or sister comes out.

Elsie rested for long twenty minutes before the pains began again, but this time she didn't feel a horrible sharp pain. This one was less aggressive; it was more like a pressure, as if Elsie needed to go to the loo pretty badly.

-Baby's head is here. We can start pushing.

It was easier this time; with two pushes Baby's head was out, and with another one it was out, crying on Dr. Clarkson's hands.

-Congratulations, you have a healthy son.

Elsie rested against Lady Cora's body, crying of relief and smiling. Mr. Crawley came with Jane in her arms and handed her to Elsie as Dr. Clarkson wrapped the little guy on a towel and handed him to her. Both babies rested on her chest, quiet, looking around. Richard had Elsie's hair, as well as Jane. They looked so much like her. Dr. Clarkson took the placenta out without any problem and after checking that it was complete he looked up at them.

-Why don't you wash and while you are doing that Mrs. Crawley can show you husband how to wash and dress your little ones. 

A bit reluctantly she let Charles and Mrs. Crawley take the babies, and with Dr. Clarkson's help they helped her get to the bathroom and shower. Once she was dry and dressed they helped her back to the bed. She rested on a couple of pillows and waited for Charles to hand her the little ones.

-Here we go. Little Richard and little Jane. Clean and dressed.

Elsie was tired, but she couldn't take her eyes from them. They were both so beautiful with their blue eyes, freckles, auburn hair, little round noses and rosy cheeks. They were perfect copies of her, and she thanked God for that.

-Look at them Charles.

-Perfect examples of the Scottish blood.

-You should try to breastfeed them. Let Jane nurse from one and Richard from the other one.

Elsie opened the front of her nightgown and took Jane. She placed her lips near her nipple and waited. Soon enough she latched and started sucking happily. The same went for Richard, but it took him a bit longer to latch. Once that was done Charles went for the crib and placed next to their bed.

-I think we are done here. We will go back to Downton now; we will come and visit once you have rested.

-We are leaving too. There's nothing else here for us to do.

-Thank you. Thank you so much. I you hadn't been there with me I don't know if I would have done this.

-I'm very glad we were able to help; now we will go.

Lady Mary and Lady Cora smiled at them and left the room, and Dr. Clarkson and Mrs. Crawley followed them after a few minutes of tidying up. Silence fell over them, but they didn't mind, they just watched their little beans.

-I'm sorry I wasn't here.

-You were Charles. You saw them come into the world. You were here when I needed you, and I love you for that.

-I love much more. You've endured all this pain to bring these two little beans into the world.

-And thanks to God they look like me.

-Forget about him. He was hanged this morning, so he's gone.

-He was hanged?

-Yes. I didn't want to tell you, but know everything's over. He's dead and gone.

-Good. Could you make them burp? I'm so tired.

-Get some sleep honey; I will take care of them. We will.