Built For Two

Charles stared at his reflection in the mirror and smiled broadly at the man staring back at him. He was a man in love with his beautiful wife, a man who had well and truly pleasured her until she was clutching at his back and crying out his name only an hour before. The person he saw in the mirror was not the same butler from even two years ago. That persona had been relegated to the past while the new Charles, the husband and lover, had emerged victorious in the struggle for the future.

The tips of his ears burned a little as he noted a small red mark on his collarbone. He would tease Elsie when he went downstairs for breakfast, though he couldn't tease too much. He was sure that, upon inspection, she would find a similar mark or two on her breast or the inside of her thigh. He felt a surge of pride knowing that his wife of exactly one year found him so irresistible and enjoyed all of his attentions, both in and out of their bedroom.

Today was slightly different, though. He wanted everything about this day to be perfect. It was their one year wedding anniversary, and he had something special planned. He wasn't at all sure she would appreciate the gesture or the gift, though he had poured a great deal of thought into the purchase as well as money. Jewelry, perfumes, and clothing had all crossed his mind as an anniversary gift, but those had been quickly discarded. Elsie needed no jewelry to keep her happy and perfumes and clothing were nothing special. He could gift her with those any day of the year with little or no reason other than to simply spoil the woman he loved.

As his mind drifted back to the day he'd made the final decision, the lovely sound of his wife's singing drifted up the stairs and caressed his ears. She was happy. He could almost hear the smile in her voice, and if he closed his eyes, he could easily envision her puttering around in their small kitchen as she prepared the morning tea, toast, and eggs. As he finished dressing and started downstairs towards the melodic sound of his wife's voice, Charles sent up a silent prayer that his gift would be well received and Elsie would enjoy the remainder of her surprises for the day.

"There you are," she said with a broad smile on her face as he descended the stairs. "I thought you might have gone back to bed when I left you to get dressed." She stretched on her tiptoes and kissed him sweetly on the lips.

"I would have gladly stayed in bed with you all day, Mrs. Carson, but we have other plans for this glorious morning."

She wrapped her arms around his waist and snuggled into his arms. "I don't know about that. My morning began with a grand display of affection from a certain handsome husband of mine. I don't know how the day could get any better."

He gave her a little squeeze and dropped his head so he could nuzzle the side of her neck, whispering softly against her sensitive skin. "You'll simply have to wait and see," he promised before nipping her earlobe and giving her bottom a tender pat.

"You keep that up and the outside world can wait until tomorrow to see us," she sighed, enjoying his touch and attentions.

He caressed her lips with his for a long moment then pulled back to brush his nose against hers. She was all warmth and happiness, sunshine and a summer breeze all rolled into one perfect flower and he marveled at her giving nature and the way she made him feel, even with just a few simple words. "You are irresistible in most instances, love, but you shall have to indulge me today. I have plans for our anniversary, though you must promise me that if you don't like my gift, you will tell me straight away. I don't want you to feel you have to pretend for my benefit."

She shook her head and took his hand, leading him to the table where she had plated their breakfast. "I am sure I will love whatever it is you have planned. In all the years I've known you, you've never …"

He raised an impressive eyebrow at her, almost daring her to finish that sentence. "Need I remind you that it was your idea to go to the beach that summer, not mine? I would have dragged everyone to some museum or the Crystal Palace, thus ensuring that you saw me as the most boring man in your acquaintance."

Elsie reached over and gave his hand a squeeze. "I was going to say, before you so rudely interrupted me, that you've never done anything by halves. If you've planned something, it's because you've given it careful consideration and worked out all of the finer details." She gave him a piercing look which dared him to challenge her on the matter. "Now, eat your breakfast before it gets colder. I can't speak for you, but I certainly worked up an appetite this morning," she said with a wink and a sly grin.

He brought her hand to his lips and kissed her knuckles, his eyes never leaving hers and conveying his heartfelt gratitude that she was his and his alone.

For the third time since they'd started eating their breakfast, Charles made a note of the time. When he snapped the pocket watch closed and slipped it back into his pocket, he looked up to see Elsie staring at him with a confused look on her face.

"Somewhere important to be this morning or are you simply bored to tears already?" Before he could answer her, a small bell chimed outside and the sounds of someone running down the path could be heard inside the cottage.

"Finally!" he muttered under his breath before looking over and catching Elsie's confused look. "That bell signals the arrival of your anniversary gift," he said proudly. He stood up and took both of her hands in his, pulling her into a warm embrace. "This has been the happiest year of my life, Elsie, and it's all thanks to you and your unending love for me. Thank you for making me happier than I ever thought possible." He kissed her soundly on the lips then pulled her in the direction of the door. "Close your eyes, please," he asked before he opened the cottage door.

Excitement bubbled inside her and her heart beat a little faster in her chest. He had just lavished her with high praise and was now about to gift her with something wonderful he had chosen for their special day. Not for the first time that morning, she sent up a prayer of thanksgiving for the man standing before her and the love that blossomed between them. "Very well, but you'll have to hold my hand to keep me steady," she said with a small laugh, wondering if he would remember the words she'd spoken to him years before.

Images of their beachside paddle and the moment he realized he was falling in love with his best friend floated through his mind. Without a moments' hesitation, he slipped his arm around her waist and drew her into his side. "I'll do more than hold your hand, Elsie. You can lean on me and trust that I would never let you fall." His hand was warm on the side of her hip, his broad chest serving as a solid reminder that he was her greatest protector and strongest supporter.

For a moment, Elsie simply nestled into his side, taking pleasure from his touch, his scent, his entire being. This was the one person who knew her like no other, her happiness and heartaches, her darkest worries and greatest triumphs. Charles, whether he realized it or not, was the sole owner of her heart, completely and for all time. She dared to look up at him only to find his eyes boring into her own, a silent tome of love being uttered between them.

It was Charles who finally broke the spell between them. "Your surprise awaits," he said with a hoarse voice. He cleared his throat, hoping to mask the passionate nature of the emotions he was feeling for his wife. He needn't have worried, though, for she was always aware of his moods and thoughts. He knew that, most likely, she had felt the intensity of the moment and had she needed to speak, her voice would have been a little weakened.

Dutifully, Elsie closed her eyes and grasped Charles's hand in hers. "Lead on, Mr. Carson. You shouldn't keep a lass waiting, especially on her anniversary."

"Ah, but sometimes the anticipation of what is it come makes the moment all the more powerful," he whispered daringly into her ear. His breath was warm on the shell of her ear, causing her to shiver as his double meaning registered with her … body, mind, and soul. He dropped a kiss to her cheek then shuffled them both closer to the door.

The warmth of the sunshine and the cool breeze caressed her face as she allowed Charles to guide her outside of their home and just a few steps from the cottage door. Since her eyes were closed, her other senses were heightened, and she was delighted by the new appreciation for the world around her. The birds seems happier with their songs … more vocal, slightly louder, and even closer than ever before. The heady scent of her roses along the front of the house and over the garden wall were almost overwhelming. She walked by them every single day, though this was the first time she had truly noted their invigorating smell. Suddenly, she had an urge to bury her nose into one of the fullest blooms and inhale its aroma until there was no room left in her lungs.

Charles watched Elsie with keen interest. The moment she stepped outside, he watched her face, at first to make sure she wasn't peeking, then to observe her embracing the moment. Her lush lips curled into a beautiful smile, one that spoke of pure happiness and contentment. Her chest expanded with her deep breaths and her slow exhale reminded him of passionate nights when she was so sated she could barely move. As her head tilted back, no doubt in take in the sunshine on her face, he noted the relaxed posture of her entire body, as if nothing could be more perfect than this one moment in time … with him.

Elsie felt him move from her side, though his hands never left her body. But before she could ask where he was going, she felt his arms slip around her waist from behind, his chin resting comfortably on her shoulder. The length of his body pressed against her back, once again reminding her of the many ways her husband showered her with his attentions and love.

"You may open your eyes now, Elsie."

Slowly, she did as he asked and was utterly surprised at what was in front of her. Never, in her wildest imaginings, did she anticipate such a gift. There, leaning against their cottage wall was a tandem bicycle with a pretty royal blue bow, complete with a little silver bell on the handlebar and a wicker basket in front.

"Charles? Is … is this ours?"

Suddenly, his idea didn't seem like such a grand gesture, and he felt waves of nervousness coursing through his veins. "It is. Well, it doesn't have to be. I thought, you see … perhaps this wasn't a good gift idea. I still have time to go into the village and purchase something more appropriate for …"

She turned in his arms and silenced him with a kiss, nothing passionate or heated, a simple kiss to his lips to stop him from rambling on any further. When she pulled back, she rested her hands on his chest. "It's a lovely gift and I am very excited about it. I'm merely shocked. I never have thought you'd want to cycle, much less with me in tow."

Charles relaxed visibly and his panic began to ease a little. "I was hoping that with summer upon us, we might make use of the bike, what with you retiring at the end of the month. We could cycle into the village or down to the lake. We might even ride up to Downton Abbey so you can visit with Mrs. Patmore …"

"Or you can check in on Thomas to see how he's faring, or to catch up with Lady Mary and little Caroline Violet Talbot. I know how much you've missed seeing them."

Charles looked down at his feet and sighed softly. "It's not every day that a grand lady of the house decides to name her little girl after the butler. I still cannot believe she did such a thing."

Elsie gave his arm a reassuring squeeze. "I can, and it was a lovely gesture. You nurtured that girl through some of the roughest parts of her life, and I'm touched that she would honor you in such a profound way. You deserve it." She stretched on her tiptoes and kissed his cheek. "Though enough of Lady Mary and Thomas. Your wife would like to know our plans for the day considering we have this wonderful new bicycle, and I have no idea how we're supposed to use it."

For the next half hour, Charles explained, in greater detail than Elsie ever thought possible, about the mechanics of the bicycle, balancing, the captain and the stoker positions, pedaling, and any number of safety issues he thought she might need to know. By the end of his instructional speech, she was well and truly ready to hop on the bike and pedal away.

"If you're sure you'd like to try this, Elsie, I'd like to take you down to the lake. We could sit on the dock and enjoy the warmth of the day. I had planned to bring a book of poems with me and a blanket. We could cycle down there and spend the day by the water. Of course, if you've something else in mind you'd rather do today, then the bike outing to the lake can wait."

"It most certainly will not. I am eager to try out my anniversary gift, and with the promise of a blanket, some poetry, and my handsome husband down by the lake, how is a girl supposed to refuse that offer? You go grab that book, and I'll see about pulling together some quick sandwiches to take with us. Nothing fancy but at least we won't starve."

Charles's eyes shone with delight. "No need to go to the trouble. I was going to surprise you with the second part of the plan, but there will be a picnic basket waiting for us by the lake. I asked the stable boy who delivered the bike to drop it off on his way here. Daisy was supposed to pull together a few things for us to enjoy."

"You really thought of everything. I'm a lucky lass, Charlie Carson."

After more than a few wobbly starts and stops, the pair finally settled into a nice rhythm. With Charles being the captain and Elsie as the stoker, they soon settled into their roles and made quick time to the lake. At one point during the ride, Elsie felt steady enough and brave enough to slip her hand beneath Charles's waistcoat, lightly scratching his back through his shirts and causing them both to wobble from the distraction.

"You shouldn't do things like that, Elsie. I could have caused us to tip over. You could be seriously hurt!" he'd admonished lightly, though he had enjoyed the unexpected touch of his wife.

"I trust you to keep us on course, Charlie. You'd never let me fall. Besides, sitting here behind you and admiring your strong legs, that broad back, and that nice bum … it was too good of an opportunity to resist," she teased, leaning forward slightly and resting her cheek against his back for a brief moment.

"If the view is so good, perhaps we should switch positions on the way home. I'm sure I would find it most satisfying," he replied with a roguish tone to his voice.

"Absolutely not! I have plans for us later tonight so that means we both have to make it home unscathed. If you put me in charge of this bike and you decide to explore the view in front of you, we might be in for a serious fall. I have no desire to spend my anniversary evening with Dr. Clarkson!"

Charles shuddered at the though and pedaled just a bit harder. The sooner they reached the lake, the sooner he could take his wife in his arms and kiss her senseless.

Later that evening, as the moon cast a soft glow about their bedroom, Charles and Elsie lay skin to skin, tired from the excitement and exertion from the day. The gift of the tandem bicycle and the surprise picnic had been a complete success which pleased him more than words could express. Elsie, too, had managed to surprise and delight her husband with her gift. Tomorrow, they would take a leisurely stroll into town and visit Mr. Harris. By the end of the following day, Charles would be the proud owner of a little puppy, something he had longed for since he was a lad.

"How on earth will we ever top our first anniversary, Elsie?" he asked as he dropped a kiss to her bare shoulder, drawing her even closer to him as they cuddled.

"We mustn't look at it as a competition, Charlie. Each day is a treasured gift, and we should treat it as such. I will worry about next year's anniversary when it comes. Until then, I promise to make it my goal to show you in big and small ways every day how much I love you."

"Right you are, as usual, love. And tomorrow, our little family will grow by one. Thank you again for fulfilling yet another of my dreams."

She tilted her head so she could see him properly. "You are my dream, Charles Carson … my dream come true."

"Says the woman who stole my heart away," he countered before drawing the blankets over them a little more as they fell into a deep slumber filled with happy dreams of a glorious sun kissed day.

The End!

A/N: This story was written for the Chelsie Prompt of a bicycle or bike shed, etc. I hope you've enjoyed what you've ready and would love to hear what you think of the story. Please, consider leaving a review. It would make my day!