Warmth
by imnotokaywiththerunning
Elsie would never admit to anyone, least of all herself, that she had ever imagined how it would feel to be wrapped in Mr. Carson's embrace. If she had (and she hadn't thank you), it wouldn't have ever lived up to the real thing.
His arms wrapped around her were so warm and strong, and yet he held her as if she were made of the most fragile of porcelain. She leaned into him, inhaling the sharp scent of him, wine and silver polish and the woodsy scent of his aftershave.
She smiled into his shoulder as her heart rabbited around in her chest and she felt his do the same. Surely the whole house could feel the enormity of her joy. She felt so much happiness that there was no room that could possibly contain it all. She was so full of it she thought she might burst.
"I hope you meant what you said, Mr. Carson, because I'm afraid you truly are stuck with me now," she giggled, squeezing his middle tighter.
He responded in kind, wrapping his arms more fully around her. "I did mean it. I do mean it."
He leaned back from her to look in her eyes. His face grew soft, tears shining unshed in his eyes. "I have never felt so sure or so happy in my life."
Tears of her own threatened to fall as she gasped at his confession. She reached up to cradle his face in her hand, rubbing her hum over the beginnings of stubble on his cheek.
"Happy Christmas, Charlie."
"The happiest. Elsie."
A/N(imnotokaywiththerunning) Thank you all so much for reading along with us! I appreciate everyone who's read. And a special thank you to those of you who took some time to leave reviews. They kept up writing and posting. Happy Holidays! I hope you all have a wonderful day full of things that you love!