Chelsie Prompt: KISS

** Consider this an "AU" story. Charles and Elsie are happily married, not working in service, but living a wonderful life together.

C&E&C&E&C&E

Moonlight was spilling through the open window, sneaking passed the sheer curtains blowing in the soft, summer breeze. The moon was bright and full, keeping company with a blanket of dazzling stars on a perfect evening. Birds, in the nearby tree outside the window, were just beginning to stir, heralding in a new day, one filled with promise and wonder, excitement and intrigue.

Elsie had begged for the window to be left open so they could enjoy the fresh summer air and the coolness it gave them in the middle of the night. They'd only been in bed for an hour or two, asleep for even less of that time when she had bolted upright in their bed. The sudden movement to his left caused Charles to wake with a start, but one look at Elsie's face, her eyes filled with something he'd never seen before, caused every nerve in his body to quiver. It was time. "Leave the window open and phone for the midwife, please," she had said before easing herself out of bed to begin the preparations while she still had time and energy.

And that was the moment his day has started. Hours and hours ago. Despite the protests of the midwife and her assistant, Charles had refused to leave Elsie's side, for which his wife was grateful. "I was here when the baby was conceived so I will be here when it takes its first breath." And with that, Charles Carson had reassured the three women in the room of his intention to stay. He reached out and gently caressed Elsie's face with his fingertips, smoothing her hair back from her forehead. "The only way I will leave is if my wife asks for me to do so. Please, let me help her through his," he pleaded.

Since that moment, Charles had remained right by Elsie's side, encouraging her and supporting her, physically and emotionally. He was the extra bit of strength she needed when she feared she couldn't go through another contraction. He was easily her loudest cheerleader when she gave yet another mighty push to bring their child into the world. But most of all, he was brave enough for both of them. He dared to stay by her side when many of his gender would have fled, and he promised her that all would be well.

And she believed it, because Charles believed it. Even during the toughest part of her labor, he had reassured her that all would be well and soon, very soon according to the midwife, they would be holding their own little miracle.

"Tell me again, Charles. Tell me about our little one," she panted and pleaded through gritted teeth.

He smiled and wrapped his arm around her shoulders, helping her through yet another pain. "Of course, love." It was something they'd started back when Elsie had first told him they were going to be parents. He had surprised her that evening by whispering the words in their darkened bedroom, thinking she was asleep. Over the course of the next several months, she had repeatedly asked him to recite the words, which he delighted in doing. Sometimes, he would brush his lips against her tummy and speak to the unborn babe. Other times, he would breathe them into her ear or on her neck. He would hold her in his arms and declare them to the darkness or recite them by the lake during a picnic. This time, upon hearing her request, he lowered his lips to her ear and whispered softly so only she could hear.

Monday's child is fair of face,
Tuesday's child is full of grace;
Wednesday's child is full of woe,
Thursday's child has far to go;
Friday's child is loving and giving,
Saturday's child works hard for its living;
But the child that is born on the Sabbath day
Is bonny and blithe, and good and gay.

As he finished the last of the poem, Elsie gave a long, hard push and suddenly their lives changed forever. She collapsed into his arms and looked up into his eyes, her own filled with happy tears. "What day is it, Charles?"

He smiled as the baby gave a healthy wail, bringing tears of happiness and smiles to the faces of everyone in the room. "It's Sunday, my love." He gave her a tender kiss to her lips before easing her back against the pillows so she could rest more easily. Leaving her side for only a moment, he crossed the room and saw their child for the very first time.

"Hello, little one," he said, his voice cracking with emotion as tears fell on the knitted blanket. "I'm your Da, and that amazing woman over there is your Mummy." Gently, he picked up the babe in his large, strong hands and cradled it to his chest. "We're ever so happy that you're here," he said, walking back to the bedside so Elsie could see their baby. "Look, Elsie. We have beautiful baby boy," he said, beaming with pride.

Elsie opened her arms and welcomed her son into her embrace for the first time. "Oh, Charles, he's so handsome," she said, running her fingers lightly across his head, through his soft, black hair. "He has your nose and the shape of your eyes …"

"But your lips and fingers," he added. "We've made a perfect little baby boy." Charles eased himself onto the bed beside Elsie, wrapping his wife and his son in his protective arms for the first time that Sunday morning. "I love you, Elsie." He tilted her head back and gently pressed his lips to hers in a tender kiss, pouring all of his love, admiration, and devotion into that single moment.

Elsie smiled and caressed Charles's face. "Little Charlie, your Da and I are so happy you're here. The three of us are going to have such a wonderful life together," she promised her newborn son. And with no prompting at all, both Charles and Elsie leaned forward, each pressing a sweet kiss to their newborn baby's head, silently sealing and strengthening the bond that made them a true family … a family bound by love.

A/N: The poem, Mondays' Child, was first published in England in 1838 and there are several variations to the different days of the week. Thank you so very much for your support. If you have a moment, I would love to hear what you think! xoxo