I know this chapter is not very long, but I want to know any ideas you might want me to add to this story. Any suggestions are more than welcome. Big things are coming in the next chapters.
The eight month pregnant Elsie sat on her couch in her Sitting Room. Baby Carson was much more cooperative than the twins had been, so she slept much better at night and worked much more than she had done in her previous pregnancy. She was sitting there; with her hands lying on her belly and her mind on could nine. She didn't see nor hear Charles come in until he was kneeling in front of her. Elsie had talked with his Lordship, and after arguing, Charles had given in, and had accepted that his situation wasn't as bad as he pictured it, and Mr. Barrow could perform the duties Charles was unable to perform due to his illness.
-Elsie?
-Charles, - She seemed to come back to earth. – I didn't see you come in.
-You seem so far away today. Are you alright?
-Yes, yes I'm fine.
-Where is your mind today Elsie?
-Miles away.
-Why?
-I'm getting a bad feeling.
-What sort of bad feeling? About the baby?
-No. I don't know what sort of bad feeling, but it's a bad bad feeling. Did you want something by the way?
-Her Ladyship and his Lordship have called for us. Are you sure you are okay?
She nodded and with Charles' help she stood up. She followed him up to the Library, with her arms crossed beneath her chest, her mind slipping away again. She entered the room and Carson closed the door after her.
-Oh, good. You are both here. His Lordship and I are going on a trip. To America.
-America My lady? – Elsie looked at Charles.
-Yes, Mrs. Carson. We are the representatives of Downton Abbey, and we are going on a short holiday to America, and many members of the high spheres of society will invite us to parties, so we want you both to come with us.
-Is that wise My Lady? Mrs. Carson is…
-Don't worry, if Baby Carson says the he or she is coming, he or she won't care a bit where you are, and it doesn't matter if it is born in America. Baby Cason will still be British. And as a surprise you won't be accompanying us as our valet and lady's maid, but as our guests. Cousin Patrick will be going too, but he wants to be on his own.
-Well, then if it's settled, when are we leaving My Lady? – Charles smiled lightly at Elsie.
-Tomorrow morning the boat leaves for France from Southampton, but we have to go down to London today, so we won't be late for the train that will take us there tomorrow morning.
-Today? Who will take care of Jane and Richard My Lady?
-Anna and Bates. They want to have children, so keeping them for a few weeks might do them good.
-It will be the first time I'm away from them for more than a few hours.
-They are going to be alright. Think about this. – Lady Cora stood up and showed them a big drawing of a huge boat. - You will be staying in a first class cabin aboard the brand new boat from the White Star Line, the RMS Titanic; leaving tomorrow at noon, boarding at 9:30.
-First… first class? – Elsie's mouth hanged open and her eyes wide.
-Yes. Promenade Deck B60 and B59, with a parlour that we will share, two bedrooms, two wardrobes rooms, two bathrooms and a private promenade.
-A private promenade?!
-Yes, we will share that too. The cabins are next to each other, connected by doors, and they are equipped with modern electrical appliances, such as telephones, heaters, steward call bells, table fans…
-My Lady, we would have been comfortable in a Second class cabin.
-Nonsense, you will be going as our guests, not as our servants. Do you think that in an hour you could be read to leave for London?
-Yes My Lady. – Elsie shallowed hard and looked at Charles.
-It seems Mrs. Carson is not comfortable with the accommodations? – Lady Cora looked at the frowning Elsie.
-No, I'm very pleased, it's just that…
-You are getting the bad feeling, aren't you?
-Yes.
-Is it the boat, America… What gives you the bad feeling?
-I don't know. It's probably just me, don't mind it. - Elsie smiled at her Ladyship. – Will that be all My Lady?
-Yes. Try and be ready in an hour or so.
-Yes My Lady.
Charles opened the door for Elsie and closed it once she was out in the corridor.
-Charles, go home and start packing, I'm going downstairs to tell the children that we will be gone for a few weeks.
-What shall I pack?
-Your best suits and the dresses that will make your wife look as first class passenger. – Lady Cora had opened the door and was walking to her room, smiling at them.
-Thank you My Lady.
Charles kissed Elsie's cheek and accompanied her downstairs to grab his coat and hat. Elsie walked to the kitchen, where Mrs. Patmore and Daisy were baking cookies with the kids.
-What are you doing here? – Elsie kissed Jane's cheek and the top of Richard's head.
-Cookies, ma.
-You are baking cookies?
-Yes. Chocolate cookies. Want one? – Richard took a round cookie from a tray and gave it to Elsie, who smiling bit it.
-They are delicious. – Elsie watched them for a few minutes before she finally decided telling them. - Darlings, Ma has something very important to tell you. – They looked at her; quiet, as well as Beryl and Daisy. – Ma and Da will be gone for a few weeks, and Anna and John will take care of you while we are gone. Okay?
-Why you leaving us?
-I'm not leaving you sweetheart, but Ma and Da are going to a big boat tomorrow to go to America. I promise we will write so Anna can tell you that we are fine, and we will bring you gifts too.
-Gifts? - Jane looked excitedly at her brother and jumped to hug her Ma. – We'll be good.
-I know you will. Kiss me, come on, I have to go.
-And Da?
-You will be able to say goodbye once he comes back from home. Okay? Now run along.
Jane kissed her cheek and run out of the kitchen; Richard was still sitting there.
-Darling, why don't you go with your sister?
-I don't you to go.
-I don't want to leave you either, but I must. I promise I will bring you a teddy bear from the other side of the ocean.
-You pomise you is come back?
-I promise I will come back, and your Da too. Come on, give me a kiss.
Richard threw his arms around his Ma's neck and kissed her cheeks, then jumped to the floor and went to look for her sister.
-You are going to America? – Beryl had left her mixing bowl on the table.
-Her Ladyship and his Lordship have invited us to join them in a short holiday in America.
-Even in the sea you will work. Should you be going?
-We are not going as servants. We are going as first class passengers.
-Holy Christ!
-Wait. We are going on a brand new ship. Guess which one.
-I don't know.
-The unsinkable Titanic.
-You're pulling my leg!
-I'm not.
-But that boat leaves tomorrow.
-Yes. We are going to spend the night in London so we can catch a train to Southampton tomorrow morning.
-Bloody hell! You are lucky.
-I'm going to see America.
-Once you get there send us a letter or a telegram.
-Oh I will, don't worry. Beryl, will you keep an eye on the little beans?
-Of course I will, don't you worry.
-I can't help worrying; it comes with being a mother.
-Well, try not to worry much and enjoy being a first class lady.
Elsie squeezed Beryl's upper arm and went to her Sitting Room. She felt as if this wasn't going to end up right, she knew something was wrong, but she couldn't put her finger on it. Perhaps it was her, perhaps she just felt like that today. She sat on her couch again and closed her eyes. She as a bit tired; she would just rest her eyes for a few minutes before Charles came.
She felt to strong hands on her shoulders, shaking her lightly. She opened her blue eyes slowly to see Charles' face.
-I fell asleep, didn't I?
-Yes. Did you tell the little beans?
-Yes. Jane took it rather well, Richard, on the other hand, was afraid we might not come back. I told him that we will, and calmed him down.
-Everything'd packed in the car. We've waiting for you for ten minutes.
-I'm so sorry. Help me up and we will leave. – Charles took her hands and pulled her to him, getting her into a standing position. – Have you said goodbye to them?
-Yes. Grab your coat and your purse and we will be going.
-Wait. – Elsie went to her desk and picked up two pictures. – Now we can go.
Charles offered her his arm, they both walked side by side up to car and waved goodbye to Downton. Elsie felt as if this was going to be the last time she saw it. Her friends, her children, life just as she had known stayed inside those walls, and she felt, as she was leaving, that she was signing her death sentence. She just knew, and it frightened her to no end.
