Cora opened the nursery door to find the most heartwarming scene since their arrival from America. Elsie sat on her rocking chair, her blouse unbuttoned and Michael lying on her chest in his nappy, a blanket covering them both, a pillow underneath him, supporting his feet. Jane was sitting in her crib playing with a car and a doll. She looked so much more peaceful now, like this, than any other time she had seen her before. In the little table next to the rocking chair laid a dirty napkin as well as a plate with half a sandwich. Cora smiled, "At least she's eating a bit", she thought.

She looked down at Michael, whose little eyes were closing and opening every now and then, his mouth pouting slightly. His weight on her chest reassured her, made her feel as if life was worth living, that there was something worth living for. With her finger she touched his fair hair and then stroked the back of his little hand. He was so soft. In his almost sleep state he reached and grabbed her finger, cuddling against her warm hand. She looked up to watch on Jane, who was now making the wrinkles on her blanket look like a road where the car was racing a small wooden horse.

-Darling, - she whispered as not to wake Michael. - you've got the other half of your sandwich here.

-I'm in a race mum and Mr. Sandwich can't attend it.

-Alright, but once the race is over I want you to eat it.

-And the winner?

-He can wait, I'm sure. Go on, finish your race, darling. – She sat on the chair more comfortably without waking Michael; he just pouted his lips a bit more and let her finger go for a second.

Cora sighed quietly before knocking on the door. Jane looked up from his cars and smiled, reaching for her sandwich between the bars of the crib. Elsie looked up, nodded lightly before looking back at Michael.

-I've come to see if you would like a spot of tea? It was rather chilly this morning in the graveyard.

-Yes, I would like some.

-Of course. I'll bring it up myself.

-You don't have to My Lady. One of the maids can do it.

-I insist. You are a Countess now, and…

-I'm no Countess My Lady. I do not wish to sound rude, but I've never been a countess and I will never be one. I'm just Elsie Carson Hughes, the housekeeper. Nothing else.

-So you've decided that you won't accept the inheritance?

-I will accept it, but I won't act as a Countess. I'm just a Housekeeper.

-That's fine. And just for you to know, this won't mean we are no longer friends. You are wonderful woman, and I won't stop having teas with you or dinners. I hope you get used to it. I'm your friend.

-Thank you My Lady.- tears were threatening to fall.- I'm a roller-coaster. I'm angry one minute and the next one I'm crying. Don't think you've made me feel sad… actually I'm feeling overwhelmed with happiness. I know I shouldn't feel this; I've just lost my big boy but…

-No. You can feel happy. You can feel whatever your body and your soul is telling you to feel, and if now you're feeling happy don't fight it. - Cora walked over to her side and touched her shoulder, smiling sweetly at her.

-Thank you, really, thank you. I've been so nasty with you all and I just want to apologize.

-Nonsense. Robert slept in another room when Sybill died. Then of course I blamed him for her death.

-I don't want to push Charles away; he was his son as well.

-Mum? - Jane was staring at her, her eyes wide open, curious.- Have you lost Richard? Is daddy looking for him?

-Oh, my darling. This is hard for me. I don't know how to tell you what has happened.

-Has something happened to Richard?

-Yes my baby. - Charles entered the room and picked her up, her sandwich forgotten on the blanket.

-What? - She was smiling at him.

-Well, you knew that he was ill and he was with Dr. Clarkson, right? - He kneeled next to Elsie.

-Yes. He said he was curing him. Does he have a wand like the wizards in my books?

-Oh, no darling. - Elsie stroked her hair- He doesn't cure people with magic. He tried to cure your brother with medicines and things that doctors have.

-But a few days ago those medicines stopped working on your brother.

-And sadly his little heart stopped, and he died.

Elsie and Charles looked at each other, fearing how she might react. At first she stared at her dad with a questioning and confused look, but soon she hugged him and looked at Elsie.

-Is Richard with grandma and grandpa?

-Of course. They are taking good care of him.

-That's why you were crying? He's happy in heaven with the Angels mummy.

-I know.-Elsie felt new tears running down her cheeks, but she smiled. She smiled the most truthful smile she had smiled in a while. - He's happy up there.

-He probably gets to have cake every day. Can I have cake every day?

-Perhaps little bean. Mum and I will have to think about it. Now you have to finish your sandwich.

-Richard won't home, no?

-I'm afraid so darling, but we won't forget him.

-Of course we won't. He told me a secret.

-What secret little bean?

-He knew why the spots on the cows didn't go away when it rained. We made me promise him I wouldn't tell anyone, but is a very important discovery.

-And why they don't go away? - Elsie stroked her cheek her silent tears falling.

-Because they are part of their hair. - She whispered it. - You can't tell anyone, not even you, your Ladyship.

-I promise I won't breathe a word. I'll bring the tea now.

Cora stepped outside as Charles placed Jane back on the crib so she could eat the rest of the sandwich. He brought a chair next to her rocking chair and caressed his soft head.

-She took it rather well.

-She's young. She probably understands but not in a level where it can make her cry or scream. I think it's better like this.

-Yes. She knows but she also thinks that he's having as much fun as she is on Heaven.

-And what about you? Are you feeling better?

-Yes. Slightly. It's hard to fully understand it and be conscious of it, but I'm getting there.

-I'm sorry if anything I said this morning caused any pain.

-No, you didn't. I haven't been myself for quite some time now. I've been neglecting my duties and I have left myself go. That won't be the case anymore.

-Take your time. The Elsie I know will be back with us in no time.

-I've already started. I've decided that I won't be a Countess.

-You are going to reject the inheritance?

-Not exactly. I'm just not going to be a Countess; I'm going to keep my post as a Housekeeper. We will maintain everything as it was. Craig and Adeleide will be the new owners of the castle.

-Are you going to sell them…

-No. I'm giving them the castle. Too much luxury for me. Why, did you want it?

-I want what you want. You know I'm a very simple man.

-Yes, my simple man. And my simple little girl, my simple little boy and my simple little angel.

-You look happier. I like that.

-I know.

-Anyone would like some tea?- Cora pushed the door open with her back carrying a tray in her hands.- I've brought some cake as well. Thought Jane would like some, like her brother.

-Thank you My Lady. It's very kind of you.

-Nonsense. Besides, I don't think you would like Mrs. Patmore to barge in right now. She's lovely, but a bit too eager sometimes. I'll leave it here and you can serve yourselves. Lord Grantham has come back, and he wasn't in a good mood.

-Anything we can do My Lady.

-Yes. Don't mind us, think about you and your family right now Mrs. Carson. That's exactly what you can do for me.

Michael fussed in Elsie's arms, releasing her finger. Elsie patted his back lightly before he settled back to sleep. By that time Cora had already left. Jane was playing with one of her dolls now, the issue of her brother's death deep within her mind but not forgotten. Charles prepared her a cup of tea and left it on the little table.

-I have to go now, see if his Lordship needs anything before heads start to roll.

-I understand. Besides, it's time for Jane's nap.

-Will you be alright on your own?

-Yes. Go.

His lips tasted of wine, she had almost forgotten it. He left the room after putting Jane to sleep. He kissed her head and closed the door.

-Mum?

-What darling?

-Will I ever see Richard again? - Jane's blue eyes looked at her with curiosity.

-Yes, but not for quite a few years. Now go to sleep. I'll wake you up when it's lunch time.-She closed her eyes, hugging her rabbit pet and nodding off shortly afterwards.- We will all see him one day, won't we my dearie.?- She patted lightly Michael's back, feeling for the first time since Richard's passing, at ease, relaxed. She soon fell asleep.