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Charles opened the door and found Elsie still asleep in bed, the room dark and the chimney fading slowly. Jane and Richard were already upstairs with nanny in the nursery, but Michael laid in his crib, awake looking at the flames, bewitched.

-Well my little man, what are you doing awake? Waiting to see if Ma wakes up to have a very late breakfast?

-Ma is awake, but she's just lying in bed. - Elise had been awake since she heard the door opening, but she didn't want to open her eyes.

-Well, I was coming to get you. It's past eleven.

-So late?- Elsie sat in bed running her hand through her hair.

-Yes, but it's okay. How are you feeling?

-Rested. I think it's the first night I finally was able to sleep all through without having any nightmares.

-Really? -he picked Michael wrapping him in the blanket and walking to his wife, sitting on the bed.

-Yes. I feel better. I remember everything, but I don't get scared anymore. Where are the children?- Elise took Michael in her arms and Charles took the chance to remove his jacket.

-With nanny; they've settled into some sort of routine of going up to the nursery to play and study a bit.

-Study?- She removed part of her nightgown and started nursing him.

-They try and write letters and read books. Obviously they don't get very far. And before I forget, a telegram came this morning, and Mrs. O'Callaghan and Mr. Bellamy left Scotland yesterday evening and got a train to come here. They will arrive around lunch time.

-Then help me get dressed so we can start with the sleeping arrangements.

-Anna has done that already. They will be staying in our old rooms.

-Then what am I supposed to do?

-Go through the books and see how things have been going this weeks we've been away. I've already scolded James for not cleaning the silver properly, there were scratches.

-Do you know that it might be possible that you won't have to clean it anymore if we decide on becoming Lady and Lord Carson full time?

-I'm sure that wathever you decide will be the right thing. For now let's go on like always. I've already explained the situation downstairs so I expect the best behaviour from them, but I didn't tell them about the Inheritance.

-Don't be hard on them lad, after all they weren't there.

-They behaved when Lady Sybbil died, and when Mr. Crawley sadly passed away, so I expect them to behave in this matter.

-My stern butler is back. I missed him.

-And I hope he won't go away unless I'm alone with you. - he kissed her cheekly smiling.

-Should I tell nanny to take Michael too?-she moved Michael to her shoulder and quickly covered her breast.

-I don't think you will be going up and down the stairs today, so whatever you want.

-I think I'll keep him with me for a bit more, he's my baby after all.

-Don't let the children hear you or they will get jealous.

-No they won't. Now, help me get dressed, we have a house to run.

-Should we call Robert and Cora - Charles took Michale and puthim in his crib as Elsie stood up and walked to the bathroom, not bodering to close the door. - by their given names or My Lord and My Lady?

-What is more proper for our station?

-Our station has changed, but I think we should stick with My Lord and My Lady, unless you want Lady Violet to suffer a heart attack from listening to any of us call them Cora or Robert.

-Keep everything as it was before we received the envelope, no? - she came out of the bathroom, her hair done, struggling with the corset.

-Exactly. No so tight love, I don't want you to hurt yourself.

-Always taking care of me. Could you hand me the blue dress?

-Your mother's?

-Yes.

Black stockings came before the dress. Elsie took the fabric in her hands, smelling the dress and after a few minutes she put it on.

-Why did you smell it? - he helped her with her shoes.

-If I do it for long enough I can still smell my Ma.

-Even after it has been for I don't know how long in the sea?

-Probably is not real, but I like to think so. Shall we go downstairs and have a bite to eat?

-Is my housekeeper hungry?- he kissed her cheek as she took Michael in her arms again, changing his clothes quickly.

-Oh yeah, she is. How was Anna?

-She looked really happy.

-Perhaps she's with child.

-That I wouldn't know I'm afraid. Why don't you ask her?- he closed the door and followed her to the staircase.

-She would make a wonderful mother. She's so sweet and loving.

-Oh Mrs. Carson! I'm delighted to see you well rested this morning.- Lady Mary came out of the Drawing Room with the newspaper in her hands.

-I slept quite well My Lady, thank you.

-You can call me Mary, after all your station has changed.

-We've decided on carrying on as before our stations changed so we won't unsettle the whole house.

-Oh, but everyone knows, even the staff; Mama and Papa went downstairs this morning to tell them. Tom and Mrs. Crawley were rather exited about it, and granny had a halo of pride around her that made her almost glow.

-Pride?

-She said that you would both make excellents Lords, you know how to run a house so you wouldn't have any sort of trouble. At first she was rather shocked but she was delighted.

-We still don't know if we are going to accept the Inheritance.

-You could live here if you don't want to move to Scotland.

-You mean live in our cottage?

-Or in Downton. By the way, Granny wants to invite you to dinner tonight.

-Looks as if you have already made up your minds about us.

-As much as we would love to keep you as housekeeper and butler you are Count and Countess.

-So we have to leave our jobs?

-Mary, please. -Lady Violet came through the front door without any of them knowing.

-What have I done now?

-They have to choose by themselves. And they could perfectly accept the Inheritance and keep their jobs here. Times are changing; I can't believe I'm the one having to tell you this.

-You would approve of a Lady and a Lord being our housekeeper and butler?!

-I belive that Lady and Lord Carson are more than capable of running two houses at the same time. Besides I've already met Mrs. O'Callaghan and Mr. Bellamy and they seem very capable of running Clan McNally.

-Where did you met them?- Elsie looked at Lady Violet with her eyes wide open.

-They were waiting outside.

-Then you must excuse me.

Quickly Elsie made her way to the door and opened it single handed to find an old couple standing in the front yard with the luggage on the floor. The woman was more or less like Elsie in the matter of height, but she had white curly hair, prominent rosy cheeks and stunning dark violet eyes; the man that stood next to her had a thick white moustache and short white curls all over his head, a thin nose and deep green eyes. She wore a black long skirt that matched with the over coat and the hat, but wore red gloves; the man in the other hand wore a dark jacket over a white shirt,a red and blue kilt with the sporran and instead of a coat he wore a tartan scarf, knee length red and blue woollen socks with half calf lenght black boots. Elsie smiled and breathed in relief.

-Mrs. O'Callaghan, Mr. Bellamy, you don't know how glad I am to see you.

-So are we My Lady- her brogue so thick it made Elsie shiver happily. She hadn't heard a real Scottish accent since the last visit from Dr. Clarkson, and even so it wasn't as thick as Mrs. O'Callaghan's.

-Please do come in, how was your journey?- Elsie opened the door more to let them in.

-It was very nice My Lady- Mr. Bellamy's voice was deep and the brogue even thicker, as if he hadn't used english in a long time, just the gaelic of the Highlands.

-How has been life?

-Oh, well, Mr. Bellamy got married, My Lady.

-He did? When?

-Shortly after you did. - Mrs. O'Callaghan placed her luggage on the floor, the soor still open.

-To whom?

-The cook, finally.

-How long have you been waiting to tell me?

-Since we left Scotland, My Lady.

-And to take my revenge, Mrs. O'Callaghan has been courted by Mr. Carter, the valet.

-This is getting even better. Any other love affairs? Any illegimate children? Undercover marriages? Just to know how many more scandals I have to take care of. I take care of the ones from this Servants Halls, so...- Elsie looked so at ease, calm, happy. That was when Charles finally understood what Frank and everyone under the roof of Clan McNally meant for his wife; they gave her life, they made her remember home and feel as if she hand't left the highlands.

-With your permition I'm going to drop a bombshell. - Mrs. O'Callaghan looked at Mr. Bellamy smiling, wickedly. - Now that you are here, and you can't escape me Craig... Let's create tension first.

-Just drop it Adelaide, I don't have all the time in the world.

-Maggie is with child.

-What?! Why didn't she tell me?!

-She wanted to wait, but I've done the job for her.

-Maggie Bolton?- Elsie had forgotten to close the door in the shock of the moment, smiling happily and looking genuily happy for the first time since the sinking of the Titanic.

-Maggie Bellamy now, My Lady. - Craig truned back to face Adelaide. - Why didn't she tell me?

-She's not twenty anymore- she looked more serious now. In the background Mary and Charles chatted and looked at Elsie. - and she didn't want you to take your hopes up in case the child didn't make it.

-I know the feeling. When I got pregnant with Michael I waited for two whole months before telling everyone.

A light cold breeze made its way through the door making Elise turn and walk to it, closing it, but a foot blocked it. Confused, Elsie opened it again.

-Hello, Mrs. Carson, good to see you. Have you missed me?

-Mr. Green