Elsie run downstairs. Lady Edith was getting married, finally, and they hoped it was the right one this time.  Everything was on point, the flowers, the church, Lady Edith… Years and years of waiting, and now the day had come. What the Carsons didn't know was that the family and the servants had something in mind for them, after all they had had a very complicated and tiring year after the incident, and another year with its ups and downs after they little beans had been born. Elsie run to her Sitting Room and picked up Jane's hat, she had a very sensitive skin, and even though it was December she didn't want her to turn pink or red. Quickly she made it to the church in time, a few minutes before the actual wedding started. Elsie walked to the bench and sat next to Charles, placing Jane on her thighs and taking the hat to put it on her curly auburn hair.

Suddenly the music started, and there she was, Lady Edith with Lord Grantham by her side, looking beautiful as ever. She walked down the aisle, gracefully, smiling, and once she reached the end Lord Grantham gave her away. They had been standing, but once Lady Edith's hand left her father's arm everyone in the church sat down. It was cold, but they air that floated around the stone walls was more than enough to keep everyone happy and warm. The wedding went on without incidents, and once the part that scared Lady Edith the most, the part where they asked the guests if there was something they would like to say, passed, Elsie felt someone tapping her in her shoulder.

She turned her head to see Mrs. Patmore and Ms. Baxter standing in the other bench, behind her.

-What do you want Beryl? The wedding is about to finish.

-You have to come with us, and Mr. Carson too.

-We can't, unless you haven't noticed the wedding hasn't finished.

-And it won't if you don't come with us. Anna and Bates will take care of Jane and Richard, come on.

A bit hesitantly they left the church, and once they were outside they saw Mr. Branson with the car, waiting for them as well as Mr. Barrow.

-What are you two doing outside?

-Taking care of the bride and groom.

-They are inside the church.

-Not yet. Would you be so kind as to get inside the car?

-Can someone explain me what is going on?

-It's a secret, and don't worry, it was Lady Cora's idea.

Elsie looked at Mrs. Patmore frowning, but got inside the car, followed by Charles. Ms. Baxter and Beryl accompanied them in the back; Mr. Branson sat behind the wheel and Mr. Barrow next to him. They drove back to Downton.

-Now, Mr. Carson, you go upstairs with Mr. Branson and Mr. Barrow and we take care of Mrs. Hughes.

-Can someone explain me what are you doing? – Elsie looked at the group with her hands on her hips.

-Elsie, we don't have time. Come on, we have to go to her Ladyship's room.

-Beryl! - She took hold of her wrist and started walking with Ms. Baxter smiling shyly behind them.

-Stop complaining and just follow me! I'm trying to give you the best day of your life, just shut up and stick with it!

Elsie opened her mouth but changed her mind and closed it, letting Mrs. Patmore take her to the room. She opened the door and showed Elsie inside whom, taking her hat off, walked inside followed by Ms. Baxter. Her mouth stood agape. In the bed laid a white dress, a wedding dress.

-Mr. Barrow wasn't kidding when he said that we were taking are of the bride and the groom, Elsie.

-I.. I couldn't… This is Lady Edith's day.

-Elsie, Lady Edith helped us with the dress. She wants this for you.

-But I'm already married.

-Not properly. We planned a wedding for the four of you, and we know you are going to enjoy it. You are not going to be servants today.

-I don't know what to say.

-We don't need you to say anything, just get undress.

She took her green coat off while Ms. Baxter took her hair down, she had already taken her coat off as well as her hat, and Beryl was opening boxes. Elsie's long curls rested against her back as she took her blouse and her skirt off, blushing a bit.

-Mrs. Hughes, I need you to take everything off.

-Everything? Underwear too?

-Yes. I'm sorry. Mrs. Patmore can give you the box with your underwear and you can put it on in the bathroom if you prefer it.

-I like that idea.

Elsie took the box from Mrs. Patmore's hands and got inside the bathroom, closing the door. She took everything off, and took the white knickers out of the box, then she took the white chemise and then looked at the corset. It was a white mild sweetheart bust line corset with a satin waist tape. She opened it and once she was sure her bosom was more or less in place she closed it. It was too tight. She got out looked at Baxter and pointed at the corset.

-We knew it would be too tight, but I'll adjust it in a minute. Tell me when it's fine.

-Don't worry I will.

-Lady Cora told us to give you this as the borrowed thing.

While Baxter was taking care of the corset Beryl showed her a white lace garter with a white rose. She took her white stockings and put helped her put them on before giving her the garter. Baxter had finished with her corset and was now brushing her hair. Elsie looked at the garter and after a few minutes she put it on her right leg.

-That garter is for you to keep. The one you have to throw is this one.

Elsie took a much simpler white garter, which she put on her other leg. Baxter had sat her down in front of the mirror and was pining her curls up in a much sifter way, and braiding some of them, making it look loser. Mrs. Patmore was applying some blush on Elsie's cheeks, a light eyeshadow and cream mascara.

-Mr. Carson is going to faint the minute he sees you. You have the hair pin?

-Hair pin? Beryl, you didn't…

-Your mother would want you to wear it on your wedding day.

Beryl gave her the hair pin, a beautiful old hair pin with pearls, crystals and sapphire, some of them mixed to form a flower. Baxter took it and placed it in her hair. She looked beautiful.

-Let's go for the dress, I'm sure you will love it.

The dress was tight on her chest, it had wide sleeves that went from her waist, in lace, actually the dress itself had no sleeves, what it had covered her shoulders and left part of her back to the air, the smooth white long skirt had two layers above the long one, and they were at knee length. Beryl helped her put her white shoes.

-Mirror now.

Elsie walked to it and stood in front of it, looking at her reflection with her eyes wide open.

-Now the veil and you're done.

-The bouquet Mrs. Patmore, don't forget about that.

-Anna has it, don't worry. Give me the veil.

And with that Elsie was done. It was a translucent fabric, with lace on the edges. Elsie wasn't twenty anymore, but she looked like a bride, a beautiful bride.

-What I don't understand is why I'm wearing white. I'm not pure.

-Lady Mary wasn't pure either, and still she wore white. Come on, Mr. Branson must be waiting outside with the car.

-And what about Charles?

-He's probably already in the church.

-I'm nervous, and I don't know why.

-Weddings always make people nervous. Come on.

They helped her down the stairs and out of the house. It was true, Mr. Branson was waiting there with the car. Soon she was in front of the church's doors.

-Thank God Anna, the bouquet.

-Mr. Barrow is waiting. – Anna handed her the bouquet of white and red roses.

-Thomas? For what?

-To give you away.

-What?-Thomas opened a bit the door and came out.

-I was horrible to you. And I wanted to do something for you, to say thank you for helping me so much, and to say I'm sorry. I would like to give you away if you let me.

-Sometimes you are stupid Thomas, but because of things like this I feel that you are back to your normal self. I would be delighted if you gave me away.

Smiling he placed the veil over her face and handed her his arm, which she took and took a couple of deep breaths. Anna and Beryl opened the doors and everyone turned their heads in her direction. She didn't hear the music, she just walked to her Charles, who was wearing a grey suit and couldn't take his eyes from her. Soon the rings came.

-Elsie Hughes and Charles Carson, have you come here to enter into Marriage without coercion, freely and wholeheartedly?

-Yes, we have.

-Are you prepared, as you followed the path of Marriage, to love and honor each other for as long as you both shall live?

-Yes, we are.

-Are you prepared to accept children lovingly from God and to bring them up according to the law of Christ and his Church?

-Yes, we are.

-Since it is your intention to enter the covenant of Holy matrimony, join your right hands and declare your consent before God and his Church.

-I, Charles, take you, Elsie, to be my wife, to have and to hold from this day forward; for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health to love and to cherish, till death us do part, according to God's holy law.

-I, Elsie, take you, Charles, to be my husband, to have and to hold from this day forward; for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in heath to love and to cherish, till death us do part, according to God's holy law.

-Bless and sanctify your servants in their love, O Lord, and let these rings, a sign of their faithfulness, remind them of their love for one another. Through Christ our Lord. Bless, O lord, these arras that Charles and Elsie will give to each other and pour over them the abundance of your good gifts.

-Elsie, - Charles placed her ring on her third finger. – receive this ring as a sign of my love and fidelity. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

-Charles, - Elsie placed her ring on her third finger. – receive this ring as a sign of my love and fidelity. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

-You may now exchange a kiss, and go in peace with God's blessings.

Charles took the veil off her face and kissed her rosy lips. The guests clapped their hands and in cheers they left the church. With white petals falling over them they got into the car, laughing with their hands clasped together.