Swimming:

Elsie stood at the window and watched as her handsome husband tended to their flower garden in the back yard. He wore a thin white shirt which hugged his body as beads of sweat gave testimony to the hard work he had been doing. His shirt sleeves were rolled up to his elbows showcasing his strong arms, now slightly tanned from a summer spent outside instead of held captive in the walls of Downton Abbey. He had opted for dark colored trousers, assuring her that if they were dirty from the soil and his labors, they would be easier to clean or tossed away altogether. And, even in their own private garden, he swore he would not be seen without a matching pair of braces and his well-worn work shoes. His hair at the nape of his neck seemed sopping wet, no doubt from the summer sun and heat, though the brim of his hat shielded his face and eyes from the intense rays.

She had encouraged him to take a break and sit with her on their swing while enjoying some sandwiches and cold ale for lunch. It gave her immense pride to see the look on his face when she complimented him on his intense efforts in the garden. The Damask roses were coming along nicely, as were the foxglove, lavender, primrose, and campanulas. He'd even planted several herbs, which were thriving under his care and green thumb. To his delight, Elsie had praised his efforts so highly that Mrs. Patmore had requested several clippings of various herbs and she had even given Elsie instructions on how to preserve the leaves for use in the winter months.

As they sat and enjoyed the refreshing ale, Charles told her of his future plans for the garden. He wanted to add more blossoming flowers, perhaps a few fruit bearing plants and trees, and, of course, anything else his beautiful bride might wish in her English garden.

She rested her head on his shoulder and surveyed their lovely little patch of heaven on earth in their very own back yard. "I can't imagine anything more beautiful, Charles. You've created a wonderful garden from nothing but grass and soil. And we've herbs put aside for the winter so it's peaceful and functional."

He leaned over and kissed the top of her head and patted her thigh. "True, but I feel like it's missing something. See, over there in the far left corner of the garden? That would be a good spot for something, though I can't think of what to add. That's why I'm asking you, love. What would you like to see there?"

She thought for a long moment, closing her eyes at times to envision the spot in question. "I don't know where we'd find it or if it's even available," she said suddenly, though her voice had a wistful tone to it.

"Tell me. Tell me what it is, and I'll do my best to secure it for your garden paradise." The very idea of gifting Elsie with something she truly desired made his heart skip a beat and his enthusiasm thrive.

"Bell heather, I think. It's always reminded me of the farm, though it might be a bit hard to find here in Yorkshire."

"You leave that to me. I'll see what I can do, and if it's available, you shall have it, my dear."

She stretched up and kissed his cheek, thanking God once more for bringing Charles Carson into her life and for the happiness they now shared. She had wanted to stay longer in the garden with him, but he had insisted that he had work to do and sitting in the swing with his wife was not conducive to his afternoon plans. With a few more kisses to tide her over until he came inside, she reluctantly left him to tend to his garden.

Now, as she stood at the window and watched him, she could see he was growing tired and frustrated, no doubt agitated by the heat as well. Her heart leapt into her throat as she watched his shaking hand lift the watering can. Tears sprang to her eyes as she watched him trying to control the tremor without much success. In the end, he had to use both hands to successfully water the small roses he knew she loved so much.

But the final straw was when she observed him trying desperately use the scissors to cut a few flowers to add to their table at dinner. Since his little garden had started to flourish, he had made quite a show of gifting her with a clipping here or there, a small bouquet, a single rose first thing in the morning, or even a lovely table arrangement. No doubt, this evening, he wanted to present her with a few of the pink and red roses.

Watching him struggle to hold the scissors steady and hearing his frustrated grumblings all the way in the cottage, Elsie decided it was time to intervene. Working quickly, she gathered a few items they'd need from the kitchen, a blanket from the hall closet, and two towels from their bathroom. Making sure she had her key to the cottage, she marched out of the front door, locked the house, and then made her way to the back gate.

"Mr. Carson! Put down your scissors and join me, please."

He looked up, completely startled to hear her voice coming from the side gate. Putting down the scissors and gripping his trembling right hand with his left, he walked to where she stood. "Whatever's all this about?" he asked, pointing to the basket, blanket, and towels.

"It's about a little surprise for you, my dear husband." She reached over and unlatched the gate, taking his hand in hers and guiding him through it before securing it once more. "I've watched you working in this heat all day, and I'm declaring you done for the day. You can pick up where you left off tomorrow, but for the remainder of the day, you're mine. The garden has had you long enough," she declared with an air of possessiveness.

"A little risqué for a summer afternoon, don't you think, Mrs. Carson?" He bent down and kissed her cheek. "Just give me a few minutes to go inside and clean up. I need to change clothes and get my coat and tie."

"You'll do no such thing. You're coming with me just as you are. It's too hot for a coat and tie, and for the trip I have in mind, you are dressed appropriately." Giving him no more time to argue or bluster, she handed him the basket, making sure she pushed it into his left hand while looping her arm through his right one.

"And where are we going, Elsie, that I can simply wander around looking worse than a vagabond? I'm sure I have dirt all over my shirt and face. My hands and hair are a mess, and just look at my clothes."

"We're going to the lake, Charles," she said tenderly. "I thought it might be nice to have a summer picnic down by the lake and watch the sunset. It's much too warm to stay inside this evening, and I've packed us a light supper. Nothing fancy, mind you, but we have enough to eat, and I have wine and some of that chocolate cake from last night."

As they started down the lane, Charles hugged her to his side a little closer. After several moments of silence, he finally asked the question that had been nagging him since they left the cottage behind. "You heard me, didn't you? In the garden, I mean."

She tried to choose her words carefully, knowing how sensitive he was to his ailment. "I know you've been in that garden since a little after breakfast. I know I had to force you to take a break for lunch to sit with me. I know I've missed you while I was doing my housework. But, most importantly, I know how the cool water is going to feel against our skin, the soothing effect it has on us sometimes. That's what I know, Charlie."

That was all the answer he needed. In his heart, he knew she had heard his outburst and most likely seen his attempts at holding the watering can. But his wonderfully caring wife had tried, in her own way, to spare his feelings, and he loved her all the more for it. "Have I told you today how much I love you?" he suddenly asked.

"I believe you said something along those lines this morning as I buttered your toast. Then, there were a few kisses exchanged around lunch time which led me to believe you were quite fond of me, though that could have been because I offered you food and drink. Hmm, come to think of it, Charlie Carson, I don't think you have actually said the words, though there's still time for that before the day is done."

By then, they had reached the lake. Elsie released his arm and took the blanket from him, not stopping until she had found the perfect spot for a picnic. "Here," she declared with confidence. "Close enough to the water to hear it lapping at the shore, enough tree to shade us from the rest of the sun, and we can see the stars and look out at the lake after nightfall."

Charles could only shake his head and follow her to the chosen spot. "Must be the housekeeper still in you," he teased. "You think of everything, love." He dropped a kiss to her shoulder before placing the basket and towels on the blanket. As he began to unpack their things, something very important crossed his mind. "I should have asked before we left the cottage, but did you think to bring bathing attire? I don't see …" He looked up as she gave a very soft giggle. "You don't mean … surely not, Elsie Carson!"

"Keep your trousers on … for now," she teased. "I am planning to swim in my shift, and it won't hurt you to swim in just your pants. We can fold both things away and put our clothes back on for the walk home. Besides, I meant what I said before we left. The water should be nice and warm right before the sun goes down, and we'll surely sleep better after relaxing a bit." She dropped to her knees and began unlacing his shoes and removing his socks for him.

"I love you so very much, Elsie. I don't want you to ever forget that."

"I won't because you remind me in a thousand different ways every single day." She gave him a brilliant smile and a wink. "How about you pull off my shoes, and I'll let you roll down my stockings," she said with a flirty smile and a sparkle in her eyes. It was all the prompting he needed to attend to her needs.

After their satisfying meal and with the bottle of wine now empty, Charles was more relaxed than he had been when they first left the cottage. Elsie was curled up against his side and toying with the buttons on his shirt as they watched the sun begin to slip lower into the sky. "You keep doing that, and I can't be held responsible for what I do, love."

She shifted so she could see his face. "What am I doing, darling?"

"Playing with the buttons on my shirt. You do that at night, sometimes before you get … well, before you initiate …"

She laughed and leaned up on her elbow to look down into his face. "Before I initiate what? Say it, Charlie. What is it that I encourage you to do?"

His cheeks flushed a little as he tried to think of a gentlemanly say to say what he was thinking. The last thing he wanted was to be crude or indelicate.

She watched the emotions playing out across his face and decided to put him out of his misery. She leaned in and whispered into his ear. "Before I tell my husband that I find him incredibly attractive, and I want to make love to him until the wee hours of the morning? Or that it's much too warm to sleep in my gown so I want him to remove it for me? Or that I simply love him and want to show him just how very much I'm glad he loves me … warts and all?"

Charles closed his eyes and groaned as her words had a powerful effect on him. "Yes, all those things and more, Elise. You know how your voice affects me, and I know I'm the happiest and luckiest of men." He opened his eyes to look up into her face, only then realizing that she had already unbuttoned his shirt completely.

She sat up and smiled before slowly unbuttoning her shirt and tossing it to the side. "I think it's time we tested the water, Charles. I am suddenly very warm and think the cool water will be just the thing we need to relax." She stood and slowly let the skirt pool at her feet before moving it to join her shirt, her eyes never leaving his.

No further encouragement was needed for Charles to stand and remove his braces, shirt, vest, and trousers. Standing before her in only his pants, he reached out to cup her cheek with his right hand, now noticeably devoid of the hated tremor. "I think it's time I took my beautiful wife swimming in the moonlight."

She moved her head so she could press a light kiss to his palm. "Not quite moonlight. I think we're somewhere in the twilight hours. I don't care what time of day it is, though. This handsome man I have the privilege of calling my husband has agreed to go swimming with me. I can't think of a better way to end a summer evening." She took his hand in hers and led him into the lake until they were waist deep in the soothing waters.

Once they were on sure footing, Charles slipped his arms around her waist, drawing her flush against his body. With her head tucked beneath his chin, her cheek resting on his warm chest, Charles sighed happily. Her nails were lightly scratching his back and her lips were leaving tiny kisses wherever she could reach.

"Thank you for taking such good care of me. I know this wasn't the original plan this evening, but it's exactly what I needed," Charles admitted softly.

"I think this is what we both needed, Charlie. You've worked so hard to create a beautiful garden for us. I worked just as hard to make us a happy and pretty home. It was time we lived a little this summer. I hope we can do this again soon and not wait until we're at the end of our ropes."

She stepped back from his arms and reached down to take his right hand in both of hers. She brought it to her lips and kissed each of his fingers and his palm before returning their hands to the water. As she had done so many times in the past few months, she massaged his large hand, easing away the tension and completely banishing the trembling … at least for the time being. They both knew it would return, but for now, his grip felt gentle yet firm in her own.

As she tenderly caressed his fingers, Charles dipped his head down and captured her lips with his in a slow, sensual kiss. His tongue swept along her bottom lip, enticing a moan from her throat and allowing him to deepen the kiss. She released his hand from hers and slipped her arms around his neck, her nails lightly teasing the nape of his neck as the kiss progressed almost to the point of no return.

With his soft lips whispering along the long column of her throat, Elsie moaned. "Charlie … " was all she managed to say. She felt him smile against her throat as his hands gripped her bottom firmly. It took all of her resolve to pull back from his arms and his enticing charms. She would succumb to those later, but for now, she wanted one more thing. Completely catching him by surprise, Elsie dropped to her knees and beneath the water before returning with water glistening from every inch of her body. "Your turn," she purred and watched with hungry eyes as he met her challenge.

The sight of the water droplets sliding down his chest, his ruffled hair, and the smirk on his face was her undoing. She threw herself into his arms and kissed him hard, leaving them both breathless. "Mmmm, seems someone is feeling refreshed and happy." His voice rumbled against her body, all the way to her core.

"A few more minutes in the water and then we'll head home. I have other thoughts for the remainder of our night."

He drew her into his arms, holding her close and kissing her forehead and hair. Taking a deep breath and letting it out slowly, he began to hum a slow tune that they'd heard on the wireless. It was one that had quickly become a favorite.

Elsie smiled as she recognized the tune he was humming for her as they slowly swayed back and forth in the water, a gentle dance in the cooling waters of the lake. After pressing a kiss over his heart, Elsie began to sing the words to their song.

I'll be loving you always
With a love that's true always.
When the things you've planned
Need a helping hand,
I will understand always.

Always.

Days may not be fair always,
That's when I'll be there always.
Not for just an hour,
Not for just a day,
Not for just a year,
But always.

The lovers leisurely strolled home, hand in hand, in the moonlight. Shoes were left by the door. The picnic basket was left, unpacked, on the kitchen table. Towels, wet clothes, and dirty ones were tossed onto the bathroom floor.

Charles led his bride to their marriage bed and spent the remaining hours of the evening cherishing his wife, breathing words of love and adoration against her skin, silently thanking her for taking care of him, promising to worship her with every ounce of his being.

In the morning, he would pay a visit to the Dower house to inquire of the gardener about securing enough bell heather to fill Elsie's little garden with a touch of home.

The End!

A/N: Thank you so much for taking the time to read the story. Please take a moment to leave me a review if you are so inclined. I would love to hear your thoughts!

Also, the song referenced above is called Always and was written by Irving Berlin in 1925 as a wedding gift for his wife in 1926. It was recorded and released on Victor records by George Olsen on February 16, 1926.