Daisy stands on a tall stool to hang the greenery above the entryway.
She laughs quietly to herself before climbing down and returning to the kitchen.
She has purposely chosen a position that is visible from the kitchen.
X
Anna and Mr Bates walk under the mistletoe, and Mr Bates points upward, making Anna laugh.
"Very well, Mr Bates." She says playfully, leaning over to kiss him.
After they break apart, they walk to the boot room with the shoes that each of them are carrying, whilst holding hands using the hands that are not occupied by shoes.
Daisy smiles. A bit of Christmas cheer does everyone well.
X
Suddenly, there is a knock at the servants' door.
Daisy wipes her hands on her apron as she approaches the door and swings it open.
Staring back at her are Jimmy and a young woman at his side.
"Jimmy! It's lovely to see you!" She exclaims. "Please come in."
Jimmy and the woman, who Jimmy introduces as his wife, Meredith, step inside.
Jimmy insists that he cannot stay, but that he just wanted to wish Mr Barrow a Happy Christmas.
Daisy sends Stephen, who is standing around idly at this time, to bring Mr Barrow downstairs.
On their way into the servants' hall, Jimmy and Meredith stop under the mistletoe and smile, kissing each other before proceeding on their way.
Daisy counts it as another success.
"Ah Jimmy! How nice to see you! And you must be Meredith. It is an honour to finally meet you." Thomas comes downstairs and greets them very cordially, ushering them into his pantry.
Daisy feels slightly concerned that her plan may not work. Brushing it off, she returns to work.
X
Thomas rushes back and forth through the entryway.
There is so much to do at this time of the year. Thomas almost grumbles to himself.
He is only heartened that he will get to spend Boxing Day, on which he has a late start to the day, with Richard - for most of the day at least.
Running his hands through his hair, but being careful not to ruin the hair styled by pomade. He does have some pride left.
X
That afternoon during tea, Daisy and Andy, who has come up to the house for some time, kiss under the mistletoe as well.
Whilst Daisy is charmed by it, she glances around to make sure that the person for whom this set-up is meant is not present, lest the surprise be ruined.
To her relief, he is not present.
X
Later that evening, the staff are having a celebration whilst the family has turned in early in preparation for their travel the following day.
A container of wine has been set up in ice on a table in the corner.
Each staff member has a glass in his or her hand, but some of them are not using the glasses any longer.
Daisy smirks at Mr Molesley, who is apparently attempting to impress Miss Baxter with his rather poor dancing skills.
She looks around and smiles at the additional guests, including Mr Carson, Mr Molesley, the butcher's son, Daniel - although Daisy is not entirely certain why he is here - , Mr Webster, and, of course, Mr Ellis.
She moves toward the kitchen, trying to put a plan into motion, but Andy grasps her wrist before she can move very far.
"No need to do that just yet. I know about the pie, but it can wait. I want to kiss you first." Andy insists, oblivious to the plan in Daisy's mind.
Previously, she would have pulled her arm away and asserted her opinion - and nothing truly stops her from doing the same now - but she promised at their wedding to listen to Andy more in the future, and so she upholds that promise.
With one last glance in the direction of the couple on which she is focused, she lets Andy lead her away, determined to put her plan in motion before the night is over.
X
Miss Baxter observes Daisy watching Thomas and Richard, who are standing closely together and laughing over some witty remark.
Thomas's movements are slightly loosened by the wine, and he claps Richard on the shoulder as he bends over in laughter at Richard's newest statement.
Richard grins, and it is evident that he sees Thomas as the only person in the room worthy of attention, despite his awareness of their situation in public.
She surveys the others in the room, tearing her eyes from the couple in the middle of the room.
Mr Carson is talking to Mrs Carson and Mr Bates, with his body determinedly turned away, as though trying to forget or ignore their existence, although they are not doing anything untoward.
Mr Webster is at the opposite side of the room, chatting with Anna, Charlotte, and Stephen. He is also decidedly avoiding looking at Thomas and Richard, although Miss Baxter is likely the only other person who knows exactly why this is the case.
She smiles sadly when she remembers what Thomas has told her about Mr Webster and the event with the police many years ago. She also remembers why Mr Webster is avoiding looking at them, and feels even more sadness fill her being.
Early in the evening, Mr and Mrs Carson take their leave, followed by Mr Webster, who shakes everyone's hand politely, wishes them a happy Christmas, and leaves quickly.
X
The evening is dwindling into night by the time Daisy gets a chance to put her plan into motion. Andy is ready to leave, but she insists that they wait a few more minutes.
Daisy then assumes a position behind the kitchen counter and looks through the hall at Mr Barrow and Mr Ellis, who are practically holding hands at this point.
"Mr Barrow, Mr Ellis, would you please join me in the kitchen?" She calls.
Thomas turns to look at her before turning back to Mr Ellis. Richard shrugs, and they brush fingers as they walk toward her.
Daisy is almost certain that they are going to hold hands, but their fingers slide through each other's as they pass through the servants' hall.
Thomas is walking in a slightly stilted fashion that Daisy attributes to the alcohol that he has consumed. She hopes that this alcohol will make him slightly braver, enough to carry out her plan, at least.
Richard supports him as he walks, whispering in his ear.
Look up. Look up! Daisy silently commands them.
It seems that they are going to walk right under it without stopping, and Daisy is debating whether or not to say something herself when another voice beats her to it.
"Mr Barrow, Mr Ellis! You are standing under the mistletoe! That means you have to kiss each other!"
Daisy almost glares at Charlotte for her lack of subtlety, but Thomas and Richard look up at the same moment, and Daisy gets a bit distracted.
Daisy is under the impression that Mr Barrow is slightly intoxicated and therefore has shaky movements that will assist him in working up the courage to kiss Mr Ellis.
However, there is nothing to indicate drunkenness as both Thomas and Richard lean forward, placing one hand on each other's hips, and kiss one another very gently.
It surprises Daisy to see such a gentle kiss, not because she thinks them incapable of it, but rather because it is reminiscent of the way she and Andy kissed at their wedding.
Soft and without a semblance of urgency, as is how a kiss is usually conducted during weddings.
Daisy wishes again that Mr Barrow and Mr Ellis could be together and get married like the rest of the world, and it steels her resolve that she will do something to change the rules in the future.
There is a loud noise in the hall that draws Daisy out of her musings.
She looks up, insistent on quelling any outrage over the action.
To her relief, the noise is actually a soft "aww" as the two of them lean back and place their foreheads together.
Daisy smiles at the reminder of how kind and caring the Downton Abbey staff and family, if pressed, can be.
A hush falls over the crowd as Thomas and Richard link arms and continue onward into the kitchen.
"How may we assist?" Richard offers Daisy.
Daisy is unsure if he is emphasising we for a particular reason or just due to the alcohol.
She laughs in amusement at what has just transgressed.
Richard raises an eyebrow in concern. "Mrs Parker? I thought you had called us over to help with something?"
"Oh no, nothing. Everything is wonderful. Please enjoy yourselves." Daisy attempts to explain.
She calls out to Andy. "Let us take our leave."
Andy obliges, looping his arm through hers.
As Daisy and Andy leave, she takes in the room.
Her eyes land on Thomas and Richard standing close together once again, kissing, as Richard whispers "Happy Christmas" to Thomas.
She smiles. Her plan has succeeded.
A/N: I hope this scheming Daisy brightens your Christmas slightly. Happy Holidays and Happy Christmas to all! Happy New Year! I look forward to more stories in the new year. Thank you for reading, reviewing, favouriting, and following! Reviews are appreciated!
-HamiltonAsparagus