I think the title of this chapter will eventually make sense as you get closer to its end :)

Lots of dialogue, but if you recall from the previous chapter, things were angsty and unresolved.

Thank you for sharing your time and interest with me and all these dear characters. Your kindness is such a gift.

"Would you mind some visitors?"

Grantham House's attic was a rabbit warren of rooms that were now mostly empty given the relatively small number of staff families of the Crawley's stature were currently employing compared to the armies of servants who had bustled about such homes before and just after the turn of the century and these vacancies made it possible for Lily and Purley to maintain a set of adjoining rooms which had long before been set up as a sort of mini-flat with a sitting room and bedroom, along with a lavatory only a few feet down the corridor.

The door had been open when Hilliard had shown Elsie and the children upstairs and her call was met by warm smiles and Lily's delighted cry.

"Not at all! This is a wonderful surprise! We thought you were going home this afternoon."

"Daisy is on the train headed back because Beryl needs her at the tea room tomorrow, but we're staying another night.

Elsie was alarmed when Lily winced sharply as she pushed herself up from the small loveseat that sat on the far side of the room. Purley jumped up and offered her a hand, but she quickly waved him away. "I can still find the floor, Purl. Don't fuss."

The small man's concern remained on his face, but when Elsie shot him a questioning look, he only mustered a smile and a small shake of his head.

"Mrs. Lily, look at my new baby!"

Poppy ran to the large woman, proudly pulling back a soft pink blanket to reveal the doll who wore a white satin frock and tiny black Mary Jane shoes.

"Oh! She's the prettiest thing, peanut."

"She's the little sister like Livy and Tildy is the big sister like me and I'm the mumma like my Mumma."

"Then she is one lucky little baby." Lily said softly as she tenderly stroked the little girl's hair.

"Pete and I got games at the shop, Mr. Purley!" Livy pulled her brother by the hand as they made their way across the room.

"Games? I don't suppose you'd teach me how to play them?"

She nodded, but explained, "We have to read the destructions."

The adults all exchanged amused looks as Livy ran back and wrapped her arms around Elsie's legs, her eyes shining with hope as she looked up and asked, "May we please stay, Mumma? Please?"

"Are you sure you aren't too busy?" Elsie glanced back and forth between the older couple.

Lowering herself back down onto the sofa, Lily pulled Poppy onto her lap, wrapping her arms tightly around the child until she giggled. "Not busy at all and it will break my heart if you don't let them stay."

"If you're sure."

"See? They want us to stay." Livy wrapped her arms tighter around her mother's legs.

"Alright." She fetched the children's new Candy Land and Hi-Ho Cherrio games from her rattan bag and handed them to Livy, promising, "I'll come back for them before supper."

Lily shook her head. "We'll see that they are fed. You just enjoy yourselves."

"Lily…"

"Please, little mother. Let me love on my peanuts for a bit."

Elsie would swear she could see tears brimming the woman's pale blue eyes as she and Livy crossed the room to the others. Leaning down, she wrapped her arms around Lily's neck. "Thank you. I really didn't want them to have to go back to that nursery."

"We'll keep them up here, keep them happy and safe, you know that."

"I do, I do know that." Elsie added, tears now escaping both her and Lily's eyes.

Turning to Purley for a hug, Elsie was sure to keep her face from Lily's view as she whispered, "Is she alright, Purley?"

A brief dip of his chin and a sad smile were all he offered, but she didn't press the matter, although her heart was heavy as she made her way back downstairs.

Dinner had been an uncomfortable affair with the decision about Mary remaining unresolved as the tension from what had transpired at the hospital between the Carson's still hung heavily in the air. Not wanting to stay in such an atmosphere, a flimsy excuse about needing to discuss an upcoming hospital fund raiser was made by Violet and Isobel who disappeared into the library, while Robert suddenly remembered a phone call that needed making, leaving Charles and Elsie alone in the sprawling drawing room.

"I hate being in this house."

Charles remained quiet, his heart aching and his gut churning with worry as he watched his wife pressing her fingers against her temples, her eyes shut tight as she rested her head against the sofa's ivory damask upholstery.

"You should have said something. We didn't have to come back. We could have gone to Isobel's instead."

"I don't want to be there, either. I want to be on my own sofa cuddled with my own babies in front of my own fire."

His index finger tracing a line down the condensation on the side of the glass, his voice was low as he corrected her. "Our."

"What?"

"Our sofa. Our children. Our fire."

Her eyes now open, she turned her head to look at him briefly before glancing back down at her lap. "You know what I mean."

He took a sip of his drink, studying the contents of his glass as he quietly asked, "So I handled you today?"

"You know you did."

"I helped."

"You took over."

He took a few steps towards her, his head nodding towards the cushion next to her. She shrugged, half-heartedly granting him permission to join her, but shifted away as he took his seat.

"Don't do that, Elsie. Yell if need be, but please don't shut me out."

She was still for a moment, but eventually reached over and slipped her hand into his.

"We're a team."

"We are," she agreed, "in everything but our livelihoods."

"But…"

She shook her head. "I don't call the head and complain when you're kept late or when you're passed over for some recognition or another."

"That's different."

She pulled her hand from his. "It's not. It's really not. You should have listened to me when I told you I wasn't ready to share the story."

Confused, he turned fully towards her. "But it all worked out. Violet loved it. Pettigrew loved it. Why are you still upset?"

"Because I was in absolute torment the entire time you were reading it! And it was little consolation to know Violet might bite her tongue, something I don't think is actually possible, but nonetheless, that she would because the Crawley's wanted something from us- which, believe you me, we will soon be discussing."

He furrowed his brow at her words as he assured her, "I knew she'd like it, I mean she loved it. How could she not?"

"That's not the point. You have to listen to me, Charles. You can't railroad me. Eggs and cake."

"Eggs and…?" It took a moment, but her reference to his priggish behavior on their wedding night suddenly dawned.

"I can take care of myself when it comes to Pettigrew and he needs to know it. I know what I'm doing, or at least I am figuring it out as I go along and you have to let me. You have to let me have a bit of cake with my eggs, honey. You have to."

"I just love you…"

"I know you do. I never doubt that, not ever, and we are a very good team, but sometimes we have to step back and let the other spread their wings." She moved closer to him, her hand resting on his thigh. "Does that make sense?"

He nodded. "It does. I'm sorry. I shouldn't have stepped in and taken over like that. And I shouldn't have told you about Mary so abruptly. I know it is an imposition."

Rolling her eyes, she threw her head back. "An imposition? She's their child, Charles! I don't know how they could just send her away? I can't be away from ours overnight."

He slipped his arm around her shoulders and pulled her close as he explained, "They aren't sending her away. They just want her to be with people they trust in a home filled with love and kindness."

"Our home is filled with love and kindness because that is how we treat one another and how we are teaching our children to treat others. The unforgivable treatment they received yesterday was because of this family and the way they live and the way they employ strangers to do everything for them. And just because," she moved even closer to him, her voice a hoarse whisper as she continued, "they simply can't be bothered to take care of their own child, they can't dump her on us."

"That isn't what they are doing!"

"Yes it is! That is exactly what they are doing! We aren't their serfs or their subjects, Charles."

He pulled back, searching her face. "This isn't like you."

"This is exactly like me. I know you feel an extreme loyalty to these people because of your history with them, but my loyalty lies with our children and they don't deserve this intrusion." She pointed at the ceiling above their heads. "Five years ago, right up there is where I felt it for the first time. Alice pulled out that knife and I became a mother, and whether they are five minutes or fifty years old, our children's happiness and safety and security will always come first with me."

"Mary's a toddler, not a demon, Elsie."

"The blessed Lady Mary is spoiled and demanding and it's Poppy, Pete, and Livy who deserve our time and attention, not her."

"You are the one being prejudiced now. That woman mistreated our children because we are of a different class and that is exactly what you are doing to Mary."

"How dare you?! How dare you compare me to that monster?!"

He ran his hand through his hair, desperate to undo the damage his hasty remarks had made. "I didn't mean…I'm sorry. I'm sorry, darling. That came out wrong. I just, I just think what has happened over the last two days has our emotions high and if none of that awfulness had happened and Robert was still asking us to do this you would be reacting in a much different way."

She was still incensed by his accusation, but took a deep breath in an effort to keep her temper in check. "I don't want Poppy and Livy and Pete reminded of what happened to them and that's exactly what she and her behavior will do. Their lives shouldn't be compromised just because you have this strange feeling of indebtedness to the Crawley's."

It was he who pulled away from her this time as he rose from the sofa.

"I would never compromise our children's welfare, Elsie, but I also won't turn my back on Robert and Cora, either, or Mary for that matter. What happened yesterday is exactly why he is asking this of us. He knows she's a lonely, unhappy little girl who would benefit from being around kind, sweet children like Livy and Poppy and Pete. He wants us to do this so he doesn't make the same mistake again; so he has the time to find the right person to help them care for her, and I know Cora will be able to rest and recuperate to the point that she can be a proper mother again if she knows her child is with people she trusts. We aren't adopting her, darling. It's not forever, just a few weeks at the most. This is a good thing we can do."

"A good thing I can do you mean. You are going to be at school a majority of the time. I am the one who will be feeding and cleaning and refereeing and disciplining and cleaning up after not only four small children, but Mumma cat and the kittens all while putting a new book together." Words were ricocheting out of her mouth as her frustration mounted. "Oh, and of course there is the cottage remodeling which needed to begin yesterday and baby-making, well that's a pipe dream now!"

Her tirade left him speechless because until this moment he hadn't even considered her perspective and he couldn't deny that her reasoning was quite valid. Taking a deep breath he carefully lowered himself in front of her, his hands resting on her knees. "I hadn't thought about it from your perspective. I'm sorry. You're right. It will be a much bigger burden for you than for me, but we'll get Daisy and Andy…"

"They aren't our employees any more than we are Robert and Cora's. They aren't at our beck and call."

"Then we'll find someone else to help."

"Do you hear yourself? We're going to pay someone to help us just to unburden Robert and Cora of their own child. My God, they really are the privileged class."

"You don't get it, do you?"

"Oh, I get it…"

"You don't. You really don't."

"Charles…"

He smiled as he reached out and took her face gently into his hands. "This place, the paintings on the walls, the marble, and the gilded gold, and the staff; this isn't privilege. Privilege is having a child so loving and sweet that she would give away a new toy just because she sees how happy it makes someone else and privilege is having a home that is filled with warmth and kindness. Privilege is being married to the woman who is raising that little girl to be so loving and so sweet and who fills our home with warmth and kindness. I wouldn't trade places with Robert Crawley for anything, sweetheart. What I have," he turned his head to gesture at the interior of the room, "none of this can compare to that and Robert knows it. He's not dumping his child on us. He's doing it because he wants what is best for her. And you and Pop and Liv and Bird, you're the best."

Tears forming in her eyes, she placed her hands on his shoulders, leaning her forehead against his as she whispered, "How do you do that?"

"Do what?"

"Make me want to strangle you one minute and then rip your clothes off the next?"

He laughed as he slipped his arms around her, pulling her to him. "A small part of it is self-preservation, but most of it is just loving you." He kissed her neck before leaning back to look into her eyes. "It is a huge imposition and I know you aren't fond of her, and I'll tell Robert it's too much with what we already have on our plates, but I know in my heart that being with our family would be so good for her."

"She doesn't like me, Charles."

"Only because she hasn't had the chance to."

"I'll not coddle her. She follows the same rules as the children. She will share toys, she'll eat what is put on her plate, nap when it is nap time, and face the consequences if she refuses."

"Absolutely."

"And I want to talk to Cora before we tell them yes."

"Of course." He slowly stood and offered his hand. "Let's see if she is up to it now."

The curtains were drawn and the only light in the room was coming from a dim lamp in a far corner of the large bedroom as Elsie slipped past the doorway, her stomach doing a flip as she caught sight of Sarah O'Brien standing over Cora as she dabbed her brow with a cloth.

"You'll have to be quick, Mrs. Carson. She's quite weak."

"Of course."

Cora smiled over at Elsie as she reached up to stop her maid's ministrations. "Thank you, O'Brien, but I'm alright. Why don't you go downstairs and get a bite to eat."

"Very well, milady, but I won't be gone long." She glanced up at Elsie, the second half of her statement sounding almost like a threat.

Waiting until the woman had securely shut the door behind her, Elsie gently sat on the side of the bed and reached for Cora's hand.

"I'm so sorry you are having such a rough time."

"Thank you. It isn't much fun, but I've been assured the pregnancy is fine and that this is just a phase that will pass. O'Brien has been a godsend, I have to admit. I know she can be a little…cold, but she is taking very good care of me."

The sentiment made Elsie's stomach churn as her intention to confront Cora about O'Brien being the source of the malicious gossip the Nanny had used to insult the children went out the window. Fixing a smile on her face, she continued to stroke the pale woman's hand as she watched the tremendous effort it took for her to push herself up against the pillows, her head wearily lolling back against the pillow.

"Robert told me what happened yesterday and I am absolutely mortified. I can't begin to tell you how incredibly sorry I am. Are the children alright? How is Livy's arm?"

"It's alright. There are ugly dark marks, but I think they are far more upsetting to Charles and me than they are to her."

"I'm so, so sorry, Elsie. That awful, horrid woman…and we are the reason the children came into contact with her. I feel so incredibly guilty. Please tell me what we can do. There has to be something."

"You are kind to offer, but they're fine. Children are resilient creatures, thank goodness."

The mother-to-be wore a sad smile, but it soon faded into a worried frown as she broached the topic she and Elsie both knew was the real reason for this visit.

"I am certain you think we are the most horrible people in the world to ask what we are asking."

Elsie shook her head. "Of course not." While she still was resistant to the idea, she couldn't deny Cora's unfortunate state. "You aren't in any condition to care of her and if her being with us for a little while will give you some peace of mind and allow you to get better, we are happy to have her."

"It will give me great peace of mind, but I want you to know this wasn't an easy decision. I love her very much, Elsie, and I hate the thought of being away from her, but I can't be the kind of mother she deserves right now which is why it means so much to know she will be with the best mother I know."

"Cora…"

"No, I mean it. This has been a wake-up call. We've followed suit and have been raising her like we were both raised; an hour a day of attention while relying on virtual strangers to take care of her the other twenty-three. She's not a happy child and we're not happy parents. She deserves more," Cora reached down and gently stroked her belly, "and so does this child, but until we find kind, qualified help and until I feel able to give Mary the time and attention she truly deserves, we couldn't imagine a better place and better people for her to be with."

While still lacking enthusiasm at the prospect of taking the child home with them, Cora's candor had managed to alter her feelings about the favor and without hesitation she leaned over and kissed her friend's cheek.

"We'll take wonderful care of her."

"Bless you. Bless you and thank you, Elsie."

Robert and Charles were waiting expectantly at the foot of the stairs while Violet, Isobel, and the Purley's were being entertained by the Carson children in the drawing room.

"She's resting." Elsie informed them, her face giving little away as she made her way down to the men.

"Did you have a nice chat?" Robert's nerves were on full display as his eyes searched Elsie's face for any sign of a decision.

Sparing him any more agony, she didn't hesitate in answering. "We did and I think it is safe to say she's happy that Mary will be staying with us for a while, although I know she is going to miss her very much."

Her husband gave her a grateful smile as Robert pulled her into an embrace.

"Thank you, Elsie. I can never tell you how much we appreciate this. It will be so good for Mary…"

"It's alright, Robert. We're happy to do it."

"We'll be by in the morning to pick her up around nine if that suits?"

Patting Charles on the back, Robert shook his head vigorously. "Mama and I will pack her bags tonight."

"Not just frilly dresses and tights," Elsie warned with a smiled. "Remember she's going to be on a muddy farm, Robert."

"Oh dear. Perhaps I can send someone to pick up some less frilly clothes before you get here, or could I send Davies up with them to the farm later tomorrow?"

She waved her hand dismissively. "It's not worth the trouble of all that. I'll dig out some of the girls old clothes unless you have an issue with her wearing hand-me-downs?"

"Hand-me-downs?" The term was quite foreign to the man.

"It's what we simple folk call clothes that older children have outgrown and pass on to younger children."

"Hand-me-downs. That's quite clever and, of course I have no objection." They had reached the doorway to the drawing room when he whispered, "I just wouldn't mention them to Mama."

The couple hung back in the entry as Robert made his way into the drawing room.

"Thank you for saying yes, darling. It means so much to me that you are willing to do this and I know it means the world to Robert and Cora."

"I'm glad I visited with her and I don't know about Robert, but she seems to have her head screwed on fairly straight. Bless her, she is so ill. There's no way she can take care of Mary on her own."

"You're a saint."

Stepping out of the embrace, she turned and smiled at the sight of their three children running towards them. "I'm no saint. I'm just a mumma."

Picking up Livy in one arm and Pete in the other, he waited until Poppy was wrapped around her mother before leaning over and kissing his wife. "The best mumma."

Bath time was short and bubble-free, the children barely able to keep their eyes open as their parents pulled their limp, tired limbs into pajama sleeves and pants before tucking them into the guest bed Daisy had occupied the night before.

Charles was the first to kiss them. "Night-night, see you in the morning light. Love you, babies."

"Love you, Daddy."

Giving Elsie's shoulder a squeeze, he slipped out of the room to take a shower.

"Anyone need to potty?"

A contagion of yawns starting with Livy and ending with Pete was followed by all three shaking their heads.

"Come and get me or Daddy if you need anything. We're just next door."

Elsie leaned down and kissed Livy and Pete, whispering about stars, snowflakes, and strawberry seeds before moving to the other side of the bed and kissing Poppy. "Are Tildy and your new baby as sleepy as you are?"

"Uh-huh. They need a kiss, too, Mumma."

Leaning down and kissing both molded plastic heads, Elsie then stroked Poppy's cheek as she noted, "You've never told me what you've named her."

"Mary Ann."

"Ah," her mother responded with a knowing nod. "That is a perfect name for such a pretty baby."

"Can the real Mary Ann come and visit us when her owies are better? She said she's never been to a farm."

"I don't know." Elsie's chest tightened as she thought about the child in the corner hospital bed whose owies never really would get better, and who, according to Isobel, had no family and would most likely end up a ward of the state. "We'll see, but do you know what I think would be very nice?"

"What?"

"It would be very nice if you wrote her letters and then Auntie Izzy could read them to her."

"Can we do it tomorrow?"

"Absolutely and maybe we can write letters to Arthur and Raj and Colin and Julia and the other children we met today."

"Okay, Mumma."

The little girl's eyes practically rolling back in her head with exhaustion, Elsie leaned down and gave her a last quick kiss. "I love you, my good, sweet girl."

She was coming out of Isobel's room having wished their friend a good night when she met Charles coming out of the lavatory, his hair wet and unbuttoned pajama top sticking to his still damp shoulders as he carried fresh towels folded over one of his arms.

"I'll be quick," she promised, reaching out to gently squeeze his hand as they passed one another, but was surprised as he held fast, pulling her into a lingering kiss.

"My goodness, Mr. Carson." Her whisper was accompanied by a giggle.

"Be very quick. I've an idea."

Her mouth fell open at the sight that greeted as she tiptoed into their room. "Honey…"

A few flickering candles had been placed around and the wing chair that usually sat where she now stood had been moved to the furthest corner of the room with its back to the door.

"Hello, my gorgeous girl." Charles handed her a glass of whiskey. "I rather think you've earned this."

Firelight danced in her eyes and there was a smile on her lips as she reached out with her free hand and stroked his bare chest. "This is wonderful, honey, but we can't lock the door in case the children need us."

"I have no intention of locking the door, but we are going to close it. You saw how tired they were so I don't think we'll be interrupted, but you will be able to keep an eye on the door if you agree to what I have planned."

"But the bed is so noisy."

"We aren't going to be on the bed." He glanced towards the chair before placing his hands on her waist and turning her in the direction of his gaze. "Drink your whisky, sweetheart."

"Charles…"

"Fourth time's the charm, honey," he growled lowly in her ear as they made their way to the far side of the wingback, his fingers lightly dusting up over her rib cage and towards her breasts.

"I've nothing on under this." She whispered as she felt his body pressing against her back, the whiskey she had just swallowed colliding with a wave of arousal deep in her stomach.

"How lucky am I?" His chin resting on her shoulder, he watched the last bit of whiskey pass her pretty lips before reaching out for the glass. "I'll take that," he offered, nipping her earlobe as he reached out for the tumbler which was soon deposited on the nearby bedside table.

"You really think we'll be able…"

Charles didn't let her finish as he stepped in front of her, his mouth on hers as he slipped his hands down over her bum and pulled her up onto her tiptoes so that his arousal pressed against her pelvic bone.

"I do."

"God I hope you're right." Wrapping an arm around his neck, she moved her free hand between them and untied the drawstring of the pants before pushing them down past his hips where they fell the rest of the way on their own.

"I need to see you." His breath was warm against her cheek as he stepped from the fabric around his ankles.

She gasped as he gripped her bottom and pulled her off the ground, a mutually pleasurable friction occurring as her legs eagerly wrapping around his waist.

Swallowing a moan as Elsie began to grind against him, he quickly moved them into the large chair, the ample seat lined with the extra towels he had brought from the lavatory.

"Can you see the door?"

Elsie straightened her posture and nodded as she looked over the top of the chair and then back at him. "Just."

"Excellent."

Her lip was firmly grasped between her teeth as she watched him slowly push aside the soft pink lapels of her dressing gown to reveal the ivory complexion of her chest which he soon began covering in open mouthed kisses. "So sweet," he whispered against her skin. "So beautiful."

She gave the door a glance as she ran her fingernails over his scalp, his thick hair still slightly damp from his shower. Her voice was husky with want and anticipation as she moaned, "Don't stop," at the feel of his lips wrapping around one of her nipples and she shifted her pelvis so that he was buried against her warm, wet center.

His exquisite attention being returned in favor as she continued to grind against his lap, he was about to ask her to move when she beat him to the punch and whispered, "Now, Charles. Now, sweetheart, now."

He ran his hands over her thighs, his fingers gentle as they slipped up to her waist to lift her as she shifted once again so that they met fully.

She glanced up at the door once more, but the intense pleasure the rolling of her hips was bringing them both led her to abandon her watch.

He looked up to find her eyes closed, head thrown back in the throes of pleasure. "Check the door, honey," he managed to say before finding himself pressing his face into her chest as she made a particularly deep movement of her hips which drove him very close to climax.

Her eyes going to the door, a thought suddenly occurred to her as she bit her bottom lip and let out a throaty chuckle .

"Not that again." He moaned softly as he lifted a hand to cup her cheek.

"No. No, not that." She drew his thumb into her mouth and sucked on it lightly before to assure him she had no intention of stopping before explaining, "I was just thinking that here we are, an old mum and dad in our friend's guest room with an unlocked door and it's so exciting and naughty and you feel so good."

"I didn't think this could get sexier, but you managed it. God, I love you." Charles' hands went to her hips, aiding her efforts as she picked up her pace while breathy pledges and endearments were shared between deep kisses.

Gripping her hips tightly, he looked up to find her cheeks flushed as she panted, assuring him she was as close to climaxing as he was.

"The door, honey, anything?"

"Nothing," she whispered, her hands moving to grasp the top of the chair as she increased her efforts.

Her movements driving him to the very edge, he slipped his hands under her robe and leaned forward so that his head was buried against her breasts, his moans muffled against her skin and after only a few more thrusts he felt her back arch as she contracted around him which was immediately followed by his own orgasm.

They remained wrapped around one another, her head buried against his neck, him still pressed to her chest when he mumbled something against her skin.

"What, sweetheart?" She leaned back, moaning lightly as another tremor of pleasure traveled through her.

"I said this is what it must feel like to reach the top of Everest. I didn't think we'd ever make it."

She laughed as she took his face into her hands and leaned down to give him a gentle kiss. "You certainly planted your flag, Mr. Carson. That reminded me of some of the things we got up to on our honeymoon."

"Do you mean to say I have been boring you since, Mrs. Carson?"

"Of course not. I only meant this was a crazy day, but you've made my night quite perfect. You were in especially fine form, sweetheart."

"Speaking of fine form…" He caused her to shiver once more as he dragged his finger gently down the smooth skin between her breasts.

"I'm going to sleep very well," she announced as she leaned forward and kissed the tip of his nose.

"Me, too."

Each having done a fair bit of groaning as they climbed from the chair, they soon had the towels bundled and candles extinguished and were dressed in pajamas as they slipped into bed, neither able to wipe a wide smile from their face as they curled up together. Surrendering easily into sleep, they were both startled by the sound of the door opening and Poppy's little voice announcing:

"Pete wet the bed."

Dressed in coat and hat, Mary was standing at the sofa in the drawing room bouncing a small stuffed dog along the cushion and over her father's knees when Elsie and Charles were shown inside.

"Here we go, darling." A lump in Robert's throat made it difficult for him to produce much more sound than a whisper as he pulled his daughter into his arms.

The tears in his eyes didn't go unnoticed by either Charles or Elsie as they met in the middle of the room.

"There's no hurry, Robert," Charles assured him. "We left the children eating breakfast with Isobel. If you need more time we can certainly step into another room."

Robert shook his head. "Mama said her goodbye last night and Cora has already given her a kiss. I think it will just be harder if…" He was unable to go on so he simply kissed Mary's cheek and handed her over to Charles.

"Hello, sweetheart. We are very happy you are coming home with us."

She twisted in his arms, her little face filled with confusion as she reached out for her father.

"It's alright, darling. It's alright. Remember? You are going to the farm to see all the animals." Robert explained as he gave her little hand a squeeze.

Her heart full as she watched their friend struggle not to cry in front of his child, Elsie picked up the discarded stuffed animal from the sofa and held it out to the child.

"Did you know we have new kittens, Mary? They should be opening their eyes in the next few days and we'll be able to hold and pet them before long and I am sure our puppy dog Barley is going to want to cuddle with you. And do you remember the goats? We can visit them and we'll visit the cows and the horses and the pigs at Gran Bill's farm. Do you want to go see and pet all the animals?"

"See pigs?" Mary asked.

"Yes. We will go right to see the pigs as soon as we get to the farm." Charles promised.

A small smile found its way onto her lips and she wrapped her arms around Charles' neck.

Robert leaned over and gave her cheek a last kiss. "That's a good girl, darling. Now you listen to Uncle Charles and Auntie Elsie and be sweet and well-behaved and Papa and Mama and Granny will see you very soon."

Elsie looked up at the window and gave Robert a wave and reassuring smile before sliding past the steering wheel and into the passenger seat as Charles put a serene Mary into the back of the car

Climbing in after her, Charles had just started the car when he looked up in the rear view mirror to see a pout on their little passenger's face.

"What's wrong, sweetheart?"

"You sit with me." Her voice was demanding as she directed her command in Elsie's direction.

Taking a deep breath, Elsie twisted around and looked over the top of the bench seat at the child. "I'll sit with you, Mary, but you have to say the magic word."

"Magic word?"

"Please. Please is the magic word and when you want something you have to say please."

The little girl pursed her lips and crossed her arms as she threw her head against the back of the seat. "No."

"Then you won't get what you ask for." Elsie replied as she turned back to face the wind screen.

"You sit with me!"

She didn't turn around as she repeated, "Magic word."

"YOU SIT WITH ME!"

"Let's go. If Mary can't say the magic word, I'm going to ride right here." She glanced up at the rearview mirror to find the little girl scowling at her. "Last chance, Mary."

Charles waited a few moments before putting his foot on the brake and shifting the car into gear as he announced, "Alright, here we go."

"Wait!" Mary's voice was low and resentful, a frown still very much present on her lips as she gave in. "You sit with me, please."

Elsie was moving to exit the car when Charles reach over and took her hand, winking as he whispered, "Elsie one, Mary zero."

She returned his wink, but shook her head as she muttered, "It's going to be a long few weeks."

Thanks for sticking with me, you sweet, sweet people. Your reviews are so helpful and appreciated. Amazing how informative outside eyes are- and thanks to guest reviewers! I don't tend to get a lot of those- a treat!