FINDING EACH OTHER AGAIN

Hello everyone. Sometimes when you can't sleep at night, new ideas pop into your head and this is the case. As many of you, Chelsie fans, I'm disappointed with the trailer for the new movie, because we already know, that Charles and Elsie will be separated. He will be in France and she will be in Downton. For me it's rather obvious, that we will not see any significant scene with them in the movie, because Fellowes is not interested in developing any Chelsie plots, so here is my take on this. Hope you will like it. It's one-shot story.

Legal note: I do not own Charles, Elsie or any other Downton character.

Elsie was really mad at Charles this time. Not that she wasn't used to the fact, that he made most decisions in their marriage not asking her opinion, but it was different to decide about what they will eat for dinner, or how they should spent a Sunday afternoon.

When the news broke, about the villa in the south of France, that the Dowager inherited, the family decided, that some of them should go there, to take care of all the formalities. The Marchioness of Hexam with her husband, Lord and Lady Grantham and Mr Branson and his new wife Lucy, were the chosen group, while Lady Mary was suppose to stay in Downton, to watch the filming crew, while they will make a movie at Downton.

Elsie was so excited, when she first found out about Downton being a residence used for a movie. Of course she wasn't at all surprised, that her husband didn't share her enthusiasm. On the contrary. He was outraged, that a historical building, will soon be filled with screen stars and bunch of people running around, endangering the castle, for any kind of damage.

As always, Elsie was all about the progress and Charles was all about the tradition. Charles was so worried about it, that as soon as Elsie told him, he visited Lady Mary and asked her cautiously, if she was sure that it was a good idea.

Elsie didn't know what exactly Lady Mary told him, but she assumed, that she must have convinced him, because after speaking with her, Charles was no longer opposed to that idea.

Elsie didn't even mind that. She was also used to the fact, that for Charles, Lady Mary's opinion was final. If she was ready to support something, he was going to do the same, not even taking his wife's opinion into consideration.

However when Charles announced, that he is going with the family, to the south of France, Elsie had enough. He didn't ask her, he didn't consult her, he just simply told her, that he is going there, because Mr Barrow is staying in Downton and the family needs him. Just like that. No hesitation, no second thoughts. Just a quick decision.

Elsie was a little bit bittered about it. When Charles retired few years ago, she was hoping, that his retirement and her gradual limitation of the duties in the house, will let them finally enjoy their married life to the fullest, but that was not meant to happen.

Elsie still remembered, that when Charles was informing His Lordship about his resignation, he was asked to join the special occassions in the house and that was good arrangment. Now, after few years of his retirement, Elsie knew, that it wasn't a question of special occasions.

The family needed him more frequent than he would ever imagine. She was very tolerant and understanding, when it was about King's visit. But thousand smaller events and constant presence of Charles at the Abbey, were annoying her more than usual.

Maybe it would be different, if things were going well in their marriage, like they were in the beginning, but unfortunately, things were not good between them for some time.

Charles was still more involved than Elsie would wish and she, herself, was fed up with being a housekeeper. She still had a commitment to Becky, because her sister was still alive and her care house had to be paid, but only few years ago, shortly after Charles retired, he was hinting in few conversations with her, that he considers paying for Becky's care, so she could stop working and retire with him, so they would be both free of Downton Abbey and finally, after all those years, start living their lives, not someone else's.

But that was when Charles thought, that he won't be needed at the Abbey, that his days will be filled with gardening and bore. Then he wanted Elsie to be with him, because it's much easier to fill the time, when you are with the person you love.

Elsie was more than trill about that perspective. She never adored the Crawley's the way Charles did, so for her, this job was not her whole life. Maybe she wouldn't be so anxious to retire, if she was not married, but since she had a husband, that she loved very much, she would rather spend her days with him, enjoying simple pleasures of everyday life, than to spend her days serving to the Crawleys.

However, as soon as Charles found out, that he will be needed in the house, more than he realized, he no longer mentioned about letting Elsie retire and she couldn't do it on her own. She wouldn't be able to support Becky without his help.

As she was thinking about it, it was the turning point in their marriage. Earlier on, they were really happy. Of course Elsie knew his faults, she knew, that he will always be a bit of a curmudgeon, the same as he knew, that she will always be too modern for his taste, but that was not the problem.

After first, difficult months of their marriage, when they had to get use to many new things, they were doing really great.

They've learned the art of the compromise and they were getting along wonderfully. In all spheres of life. Even the most intimate one, especially on this one. Even now, Elsie was blushing, when she reminded herself about bold, but most pleasurable things, that they were doing, as they gradually broke the barriers of embarassement... Their days were fun, but their nights were wonderful...

Unfortunately, now, somewhere along the way, they lost closeness and intimacy, that were so important for them, in the beginning of their marriage.

Now, Charles was distant and unavailable to her, while she was constantly annoyed at him and she scolded him more, sometimes even without a reason...

Charles was only animated, when he was called to the house to help with something, other than that, in their cottage, he close himself in his gardening world and he was not going to leave his safe space.

Elsie was so tired with the work, that when she came back home, they often eat their dinner in silence and then they were reading books or simply going to sleep early, having no real connection.

Their intimate life has almost completely stopped. Elsie was not eager like she was before and sometimes, when she watched Charles falling asleep in their bed, turning around and away from her, she was sighing, thinking that few years ago, they did it whenever they had a spare moment. Whenever and wherever...As unrealistic at it may seem, to anyone looking at the older couple from the side, their bed was not the only place, which they used to express their love.

But it was all in the past..Nowadays, Elsie never initiated any intimate relations and when Charles rarely did, it was literally like she was doing a wifely duty. No excitement, no passion, no signs of love. She was just lying there, waiting when he will finish and he saw that, even though they were in the dark.. He felt, that she wasn't eager, but he was to afraid to ask why...

You could think, that because of the crisis in their marriage, Elsie wouldn't care much, if Charles will leave her and go to France. But yet she did. She didn't want to be part with him. They may have a crisis, but they were still married, they should consult things like that.

His departure reminded her, of all those years, when he was going to a season in London, with the family and she stayed in Downton. It was a long time ago and she still remembered the pain, the sorrow, when she had to be away from him for so long..They were not married then, but she loved him and according to what he once told her, he loved her back then too and all those London seasons, were as awful for him, as it were for her.

So why this now? Why did he made the decision of not consulting her? Elsie felt, that she had to know this, so on the last night before his deprature, she decided to investigate.

"Is everything ok Elsie? You haven't said a word about my trip to France with the family. I've been talking about it for about half and hour and you said nothing. What is wrong?"

"Do you really care what I think?"

"Elsie, of course I care what you think..Your opinion matters to me..."

"Well then, you done a pretty good job hiding it, because frankly, I didn't notice that my opinion matters to you..."

"What is going on Elsie? Why are you constantly so annoyed with me? What have I done to deserve it?"

"Charles, are you really that oblivious? You din't even ask me, if it's ok with me, that you will go to France. You just told me..."

"Well, I just thought that this was my decision and besides Lady Mary..."

"Oh please no more! How much longer will I have to listen about Lady Mary? You are retired now and you have been for few years and I still have to listen to what Lady Mary has to say..."

"Elsie, that's not fair...Of course you have to listen to what she says..You are still working at the Abbey and I'm still helping when they need me and..."

"Charles! For heaven sake! Maybe I don't want to work there anymore! Maybe I'm really tired with getting up early in the morning, spending my days to fulfill their caprices and watching, as they are taking any free time you may have, even though you are retired! Did you ever think about that? Did it ever occur to you, that I may want something more, than life spend at the Abbey?!"

Charles was totally surprised with Elsie's outburst...It's true, that they have not been talking about such things, but he would never realized, that Elsie was that unhappy...

"Elsie, I'm sorry...You never told me, that working at the Abbey makes you so unhappy and you never told me, that you want to quit. That you made such decision..."

"Charles...You know very well, that it's not my decision to make...I can't afford to retire. I have to pay for Becky's care and without your financial help, it's impossible..."

"We were talking about it some time ago and I offered that I could do that..."

"Yes, but that was before it turned out, that you are still essential at the Abbey...Then, suddenly we stopped talking about it..You were needed there and you were so happy about it, that you figured, that I will be happy to, spending rest of my life there...Well, surprise, surprise, I'm not..."

"Elsie...Why didn't you...Elsie..."-Charles was embarassed now...He neared Elsie and started to stroke her temple, touching a loose strand of her locks..."So am I a terrible husband? Is that why we don't talk anymore, we don't spend time in a fun way like we use to, we do not make love like we use to and when we do, I feel like I'm alone in our bed?"

"Yes Charles...That's exactly why...Remember, when we were arguing about the place of our wedding, I told you, that it's going to be your way for the next thirty years and I think, that you took it too literally..I mean, I have nothing against you making most of our decisions in small matters, but it would be nice of you, to at least ask my opinion from time to time...Especially with something like this..."

"Elsie...I understand that you don't want me to go to France? Because it's too late now to cancel..We are leaving tomorrow..."

"No Charles, of course I don't want you to go, but you can't disappoint the family now..I would never ask you..."

"So what do you want Elsie? Tell me...I will do anything, so we could be that happy, as we were in the beginning of our marriage..."

"Charlie...My sweet, dear, oblivious Charlie..."-Elsie took his face in her hands and she kissed his lips softly, causing a shiver of delight...It was a long time, since she kissed him like that-with such doze of love..."I want to retire, if you think that we will manage financially...I'm fed up with service...I want you to spend your time with me, not them...Of course you can help them ocassionally, but not all the time...Right now, they are calling you for every little trifle..Charles...Forget about Lady Mary and the family...She has her own life now, they all have their own lives and they are living it...Let's live ours too...Who knows how much time we have? We are not young anymore..Let's live our last years, taking care about each other, not the family..."

"Oh Elsie...I...I..."-Charles was so touched, by what Elsie said, that he couldn't form a sentence...He felt tears gathering in his eyes, as he realized, how he made his beloved wife unhappy..."I promise Elsie...As soon as I will come back from France, you will retire and I will only be at the Abbey on special occassions...We will be together all the time..There are so many things, that we never did and we may do them all now...Sweetheart, will you forgive me? I'm just a sad, old fool..."

"I think that you already used that argument once, many years ago, after the business with Grigg...And you are sad, old fool...Like you were then, but the difference is, that you now have a wife, who loves you very much and who wants to spend the rest of her life enjyoing your presence."

"Your wish is my command my dearest...I solemny swear, that from now on, I will be Charles Carson- Elsie's husband most of all, not Charles Carson, the retired butler..."

"And that is exactly what I wanted to hear...I love you Charlie...I know that it's been a long time since I told you this, but I really love you...Very much...And I want you around me..."

"I know...I love you too...Elsie...Oh Elsie..."-Charles wrapped his arms around Elsie and they sat in silence, enjoying their closeness, which was long forgotten by both of them...

"I think that I should go to bed now...It's getting late and I'm leaving in the morning..."

"I think so too Charles...But I believe, that before you will go to sleep, you should do one more thing..."

"What should I do? I think that I've packed everything already..."

"I wasn't talking about the packing...You owe your wife a proper goodbye, a goodbye which will help her survive your absence and look forward for your return..."-Elsie looked at Charles with seductive look and her hand glided over his body, until the place, when the zip of his trousers was placed...

He closed his eyes, when he felt her touch there...He wanted her madly at this moment...

Without further hesitation, they hurried upstairs, to their bed, when they made love, with enormous passion, the passion that they forgot they had in them already..

All the feelings, that were on hold, for some time, have now arised again, with double or even triple force...They wanted each other so much and this night, their love making was similar to the one that they both remembered, from the beginning of their marriage..

To Charles's surprise, it didn't end on one intercourse, as he was able to perform again, soon after the first one...When they finally finished, they lied totally exhausted, naked, in their arms, sated and happy...

"Elsie...Now I will really look forward to go back from France, as quickly as possible..."

"I hope so Charlie...Whenever you will feel lonely, just think about this moment...During the hot night, in the French riviere..."

"However hot the nights may be there, it won't even compare to the heat we had here, tonight..."

"I'm glad that we finally agree about something..."

Elsie hovered over Charles, she covered his body with hers and they've shared another portion of hot and loving kisses...

That's all for this story...Yup, that's what Chelsie fans would like to see in the series, or something like that, but we never will, so I needed to write a fic about that...This is how I imagine Elsie must feel at the moment, because already in the first movie, I had a feeling, that she was constantly annoyed with Charles, so that's why I transferred her feelings into this story. I'm curious to know what you think, so if you have a moment, your opinions are always appreciated. Stay safe and see you soon!