Thanks

"And how was your meeting with Lady Grantham? Did you provide Mrs. Baxter with all of the details for the Christmas Eve party?"

It was the first time since their retirement that either of them had been asked to the Abbey by their former employer and it was clear to Elsie that Charles was disappointed it had been she and not he who had been called upon. Little did he know he was the main reason for the meeting.

"It was fine. I could have answered Mrs. Baxter's questions over the telephone. I left her detailed instructions, but she is just a little nervous I suppose, but there was another reason Lady Grantham wanted to speak to me."

Charles ushered her into the entry, helping her out of her coat. "Oh yes?" He wrapped his arms around Elsie, pulling her against him as he rubbed his hands over her back to warm her. "Let's get you in front of the fire. She really should have sent you home by car."

Elsie closed her eyes and hummed in appreciation, "Mmmmm...she offered, but I decided to walk. I wanted some time to make a plan."

"That sounds intriguing."

"She has asked me to do her dirty work."

"Even more intriguing. And what does this dirty work entail?"

Leaning back, she conjured her most winning smile, "I have to ask someone I love very much to do something he probably won't want to do."

Charles let his hands drop to her waist, "I am less intrigued."

Elsie sighed, "And you haven't even heard what it is yet. Let's have a cup of tea and I will present you with your task."

Charles shoulders slumped as he followed his wife into the kitchen.

"I feel a fool," Charles growled as he and Elsie stood in the corridor just outside the Great Hall of Downton Abbey.

"You look wonderful. Just smile and remember you are doing this for Lady Mary and Master George and Marigold and all the other children- and me."

Charles shook his head, unable to keep a smile from crossing his lips, "Very well."

They could hear the final strains of "It Came Upon a Midnight Clear" when she reached up and made a final adjustment. "Almost time. I'll see you inside." She squeezed his hand before slipping into the happy, boisterous throng.

"Ladies and Gentlemen," Lord Grantham was well into his fourth glass of wine as he called the room to attention. "I believe we have a very special visitor who has agreed to make a stop and spread some merry cheer." A sudden jingle of bells could be heard as Mr. Barrow and Mr. Molesley opened the two main doors.

"Happy Christmas! Happy Christmas!" Cheers and applause rang through the hall as a tall, white bearded man in a deep crimson robe laden with a large bag of presents made his way into the room, his deep voice registering over the din. Master George escaped his mother's grasp, running full speed until he reached the man's knees. "And who do we have here? Why, Master George Crawley! Have you been a good boy this year?" The little blonde head nodded eagerly. "I am very glad to hear it!" The man began to retrieve gifts from his pack, handing out to young and old alike.

"Thank you, Father Christmas!"

"Thank you! Thank you!"

"Oh, thank you Father Christmas!"

The old man was treated to handshakes, hugs and winks as he made his way around the room. He was down to a single envelope in his pack when he finally spied her standing alone only in the far corner of the room. He quickly made his way to her side, "And have you been a good girl this year?"

The woman's beautiful blue eyes were set off by the vibrant azure dress she wore, allowing her to stand out among a crowd she had so often blended into in years past when adorned in her standard black evening dress. "I think I have been fairly nice, but you would have to ask my husband."

Father Christmas bent his bewhiskered face towards her, "Your husband thinks you have been perfect." He snuck a quick peck before presenting her with an envelope. "Five minutes," he gave her a wink and drifted back into the crowd.

Elsie Carson beamed as she carefully opened the envelope. "Please meet me in the butler's pantry- bring punch."

Punch glasses in hand, she stepped into the small room, so familiar and yet so foreign, Mr. Barrow having moved the desk to the center of the room and adding an ornate arm chair and small table in place of the side table Charles had used when polishing the silver. "You won't like this at all."

"You're right, I don't…" Charles voice startled her. He was now dressed in his dark suit, crimson robe and beard hanging over his arm. "…but it is no longer my domain."

She smiled and crossed to him, "I think it will always be your domain, Charles, but do you think Mr. Barrow will mind us being in here?" She handed him his glass of punch, using her now free hand to take the robe and beard from his arm and laying them over the armchair.

Charles raised an eyebrow, "What he doesn't know won't hurt him."

"It wasn't too painful was it, Father Christmas? Did you enjoy it even a tiny bit? Everyone at the party loved it."

"As much as it pains me to say it, I enjoyed every second of it, well.." he reached up and rubbed his chin, "…with the exception of that itchy beard."

Elsie looked around the room, "One year ago tonight. Any regrets?"

Charles placed his free hand around her waist, pulling her to him, "No regrets. Well, maybe only regretting I didn't ask you sooner." He leaned down and gave her a sweet kiss before raising his glass. "A toast to my beautiful, clever, kind and perfect wife. I wake up each morning full of thanks that I get to spend my life with her."

Elsie blinked away a tear, "And to my handsome, wise and perfect husband. I wake up each morning full of thanks that he wants to be stuck with me."