-Charles, did you take all the nappies?

-No, I just took half the box.

They were about to get inside the train because everyone in the Downton household was going for a few days trip to the sea side, including the staff. They had thought about it after the birth of the twins, and after arguing at home both Elsie and Charles had agreed. Charles had Jane in his arms, and Mrs. Patmore had little Richard.

-You should have taken the whole box! – Suddenly Elsie burst into tears.

-Why are you crying now? I can go back and bring the bloody box if that will make you stop crying.

-Just do whatever you want. I don't feel like talking to you.

She took Richard in her arms and got inside the train, walking to her compartment.

-What has come over her lately?

-I don't know. She cries over nothing, yells at me. She's been so protective over Richard, and pays almost no attention to Jane. I hope that whatever has come over her ends soon, because I don't know if I'm going to be able to survive.

-Have you talked to Dr. Clarkson?

-No. I'm starting to believe I should have.

Mrs. Patmore got inside and Charles followed her. They wanted their Elsie back, mostly Charles, but they didn't know what to do with her. The door to Elsie's compartment was closed. He knocked, but she didn't open the door.

-Elsie, open the door. Jane needs you.

-I'm sure you can find a better person.

-What are you saying now? Come on Elsie, stop doing this and open the door.

-Leave me alone Charles!

-What the hell is wrong with you Elsie? Open the bloody door!

-Get away from me! Let me be! Find someone better… I'm sure you can. - He heard her crying again, and heard Richard fussing in her arms. – Go away Charles.

-Elsie, please, tell me what's wrong.

-This shouldn't have happened.

-What shouldn't Elsie?

-Everything. This is all wrong. Wrong, wrong, wrong, wrong.

-Elsie, what are you talking about? Open the door and let me talk with you.

He heard her crying, and moving around the compartment, and suddenly she opened the door, but she was kneeling. Lady Mary and Lady Cora were at the end of the corridor, looking at them with confusing faces. Elsie left Richard on the floor carefully, kissed his forehead and closed the door again.

-Elsie what are you doing?! – He quickly lifted Richard from the floor.

-Take him. Take him away.

-Elsie, I don't understand…

-Find them a good mother. A woman who can love them and who wants them. Who can give them much more than me.

-Elsie! What the bloody hell are you saying?!

-Carson- Lady Mary walked to him and took Jane in her arms- she's suffering from postpartum depression. Come with us, and let her rest for a bit. Once we get to the beach you can talk with her, pressure her to tell you what's wrong.

-This is supposed to be a happy trip. I can't leave her crying.

-Do it Carson. Once we are there, you can take her, but here she's going to scream at you and get worse.

-When will she get better?

-When she realises she's a good mother. You will have to show her, but not right now.

-So I just leave her here?

-I'm afraid so. It's the best for her right now. Probably she will fall asleep, postpartum depression's don't let the mother sleep at night but they can't stay awake during the day.

-I just don't want to leave her. I can't see her crying; I can't stand it.

-You will have to endure it. It will be for just an hour or so. Don't worry.

Charles looked back at the closed door, listening to her crying. A bit reluctantly he walked away from the door and followed Lady Mary.

* * *

-My Lady, maybe I'm imposing a bit, but could you keep Jane and Richard for a while? I think Elsie and I will be talking for a bit.

-Not at all. We would like our housekeeper back to her old self, and I'm sure you want your wife back also. Better go, we are about to get there.

-Thank you My Lady.

Charles looked at Jane who was in Lady Cora's arms and Richard, who was looking up at Lady Mary. He closed the door of the compartment and walked all the way to the other side of the train. Once he reached Elsie's compartment he knocked lightly. To his surprise Elsie opened the door.

-Elsie, may I come in?

-Of course. Where are they?

-With Lady Mary. They are okay, don't worry.

-Why would I worry? There's nothing for me to worry about. – She was sitting next to the window, looking down at her lap.

-There is. I saw you carrying them for almost nine months. I saw you marvelling at how your body changed, worrying whether a tight dress would harm the baby, whether if you should wear a skirt or a dress, worrying that if by wearing a skirt Baby wouldn't have enough room. I saw you scared, not knowing what was going to happen when we had the scare. I remember the first time they kicked; you came to my pantry with a beautiful smile. You endured more than ten hours of labor to bring them to the world. You have every right to care for them.

-This shouldn't have happened.

-Yes, it shouldn't, but it did, and now we have two little beans that we love, that we have to protect and raise.

-I don't feel as if I can do that

-I know you can. You are the only person in this world that could be their mother. No one else could be as good as you. No one.

-But I can't give them everything they want. I have barely enough money for my sister, how can I raise two kids?

-You are not alone in this. I'm here; whatever they want I can give them. You focus on sending the money to your sister, I can take care of our children.

-But…

-No buts Elsie. – He stood up and kneeled in front of her. - Love, we can do this. Right now they only need love from us, and I know we can give them that. You are the best mother in this world, and nothing or no one can tell you otherwise. Okay?

-You are so good to me.

-That's why I married you. Now, we are going to pick up our children and enjoy a beautiful day by the sea. Okay?

-Okay. I'm feeling better now.

-And with time you will feel great soon. We all want our Elsie back.

She smiled and kissed his cheek, taking his hands. He stood up, slowly, and helped Elsie rise too, not letting her hands go, and taking her to the Family's compartment. He gently knocked on the door.

-Come in. – he opened it and took Elsie inside. – Mrs. Hughes! How nice to see that Mr. Carson as able to talk with you.

-Thank you Lady Mary. Charles really knows, sometimes, how to speak.

-Sometimes? I thought I was much better.

-You can always improve Charles, you know that

Elsie laughed slightly and took Jane in her arms. The little girl looked up at her and soon she started mumbling noises and moving her arms, smiling.

-She looks happy to be back in your arms.

-Well, I'm happy to have her back, and I would very much like to show them the sea and the sand. Should we go?

-Yes we should. We will spend tonight in a very expensive hotel. You won't have to work.

-That sounds great.

Charles took Richard and after Elsie got out he followed her to the exit, helping her get down. Once everyone was ready (there had been some problems with Mrs. Patmore and a door) they started walking to the beach. It was a sunny day and not hot at all. The weather was absolutely perfect for a day on the beach.

-Well, we are here, and as your employer, I tell you… go and have a great time. Do whatever you want.

They didn't need his Lordship to say it twice, as soon as he finished talking they left, running to the town, other to the beach, taking shoes and hats off. Charles was carrying Elsie's basket, and once they found a nice spot he placed the blanket on the sand and placed Richard there to take his clothes off except for his body suit, and took this moment to take his shoes off and roll his trousers up. Elsie had done the same with Jane, and she was now taking her shoes and stocking off.

-Why don't you take you jacket off too? That way you will be more comfortable?

-If you pin my skirt.

-If I what?

-If you pin my skirt up so it won't get wet.

-Do you have anything I could pin it up with?

-In the basket.

While he was working with her skirt, leaving it at a knee length, she took her jacket off and placed it with the kids' clothes.

-Now, little beans, you will see the sea for the first time in your lives.

Charles picked Richard up and placed him in his chest, with his back against it and with one hand under his bum and the other one in his chest. Elsie took Jane in one arm and pointed at the blue ocean.  Slowly they walked together, side by side to the shore, looking at their excited children.

-Charles, let him touch the water with his feet. - Charles took Richard by the shoulders and lowered him to the shore, waiting for the water.

Richard screamed excitedly and clapped his hands. He tried to touch it with his hands, but Charles didn't let him. Elsie kneeled and let Jane crawl over to the water, trying to catch it with her hands every time a wave came. Soon Charles was kneeling too next to Elsie, catching them whenever they decided to follow the wave and get inside the water. When they grew bored they started playing with the sand.

*  *  *

-I think they are enjoying it. - Mrs. Patmore was standing next to Daisy, who was having an ice cream.

-They do look happy.

-Why don't we go and ask them if we can have the little ones for a bit, that way they can enjoy each other's company for a while.

Mrs. Patmore took the lead and walked over to where they were. She tapped Elsie in the shoulder.

-Beryl! Are you enjoying this day?

-Yes, but we thought that maybe we could take the little ones for a bit.

-Yes, of course. Just be careful

Beryl took Jane in her arms and Daisy exchanged her ice cream for Richard. Soon they were alone, enjoying the cold water.

-Elsie, I was wondering if I could ask you something?

-You just did.

-Come on Elsie

-Of course you can.

Charles kneeled in front of her, and took a blue velvet box out of his pocket. Elsie looked at him with her mouth hanging open. Anna and Bates looked at them from the ice cream stand; Mrs. Patmore and Daisy looked at each other and then at the little ones; Lady Mary called for her parents and Lady Edith and pointed at the couple.

-I know Elsie that I proposed to you long ago, but it wasn't the proposal I wanted. I wanted you to be happy in a beautiful place, enjoying yourself, and now you are, so I think it's the best time to ask you properly. Elsie May Carson, my Elsie, will you accept me as you husband, again?

-You old booby. Of course I will. It took you long to propose properly.

She kissed him passionately and took the box. Once they separated she opened it to find a small golden locket. She opened it and found a picture of her babies. She looked up and kissed him again, not wanting to let go. Never.

-I love you.

-Good, because I plan on proposing every year, so you know that our love will always be as strong as it was in the beginning.

-You make me feel as if I'm 20 again.

-That's the idea.

Suddenly a stronger wave knocked Charles and he fell into the water, followed by Elsie, who screamed when she found herself cover in cold water. Thanks to God the locket was closed and the pictures were alright. Charles sat, dripping wet, and found Elsie's hat floating next to him and her laughing. The most beautiful sound in the world.

-I dare you to get into the water with me.

-Elsie, we don't have swimsuits!

-We have clothes, and well, who cares. Let's be young and reckless.

She run to the blanket and left her hat and locket there, then she had a rush of recklessness and took her skirt and blouse off, leaving her petticoat and corset on. She then let her hair down and run back to the water.

-Elsie! Go and put something on!

-No. I feel great, I feel young, and I don't want to think about protocols, rules or any of that. I just want to swim with my husband. Come on, we are already wet.

Seeing her like that, with her porcelain skin shinning, her auburn curls wet running down her back and her clothes leaving very little to the imagination, he gave in. He took his shirt and hat off and threw them to the sand; he then took his trousers off, and stood there in his underwear. He felt as if they were twenty again, in a fairytale, just the two of them. He took her hand and followed her into the water. She dived and when she came out she threw her arms around his neck and kissed him.

-This is how I can get better. Being young with you.

The staff and the family stood there, amazed. This was the first time the butler and the housekeeper had done something as improper as this, but they looked so happy, enjoying the water.

-That's the first time I've ever seen Mrs. Carson in her underwear.

-Did you see Mr. Carson's legs?

-I'm so used to the proper butler and housekeeper that it will be hand to forget this.

-Wait until they get out of the water. That you won't forget. - Mrs. Patmore looked at Daisy, who somehow had another ice cream in her hand.