A/N: This is an AU story, sort of. It's set in the autumn of 1957. An Affair to Remember was released in the US on July 11, 1957, just fyi. Charles and Elsie have been happily married for years and are quite successful at home and in the workplace. And now, I give you …

Heavenly

"Oh, I like that Cary Grant! He makes me shiver all over," Bery Patmore announced over dinner one evening at the home of her best friends, Charles and Elsie Carson.

"What a very disturbing thought," Charles muttered, promptly earning him a very shocked and disapproving look from his wife. Fortunately, Beryl missed his little commentary as she made her way to the kitchen for another slice of chocolate cake.

"Well, I think he's quite handsome, too, and I'm dying to see the new movie. I'm hoping you'll take me to see it, Charlie," Elsie said softly, reaching over to caress her husband's hand with her fingertips. "We could make an evening of it, if you wanted, of course."

His eyes softened, as did his entire demeanor. There was nothing he could ever deny his wife, nothing at all she could ask for that he wouldn't try to give. Lacing his fingers with hers, he brought her hand to his lips and brushed a feather light kiss to her knuckles, her palm, and the inside of her wrist. He was just leaning in to capture her lips with his own when Beryl chose that moment to return.

"By the look of things, I should probably be leaving this little love nest and return to my own humble cottage," she quipped with a cheeky smile on her face. "I can tell when I'm not wanted."

Elsie blushed and gave her husband a warm smile. "You're always welcome here, Beryl, you know that. Charles was just …"

"Yes, I can see quite clearly what ole Charlie here was just doing. And the phrase … here's your hat, what's your hurry … comes to mind." She couldn't contain her laughter when Charles cleared his throat and tried to sit a little straighter in his chair, struggling to compose himself in this most uncomfortable discussion.

"Oh, don't mind her, Charlie. She's just jealous. Besides, I've seen the way that Mr. Mason looks at you on Sundays, always dashing over after services to speak to you, walking you part of the way home! Honestly, maybe I should invite him over to dinner one evening and plant a few seeds of my own on your behalf."

Charles suddenly stood up and gathered his plate and Elsie's before heading off to the kitchen mumbling under his breath about matchmakers, improper invitations, and love. He would leave his wife and her best friend to their own devices. After all, if he didn't know the particulars, he could always claim innocence if things didn't go according to their plans.

As they settled in bed for the evening, Elsie curled up against Charles's side, resting her head on his chest and taking comfort in the familiarity of loving and being loved. Being married to Charles Carson had been the most wonderful years of her life, and she only wanted the same for her friend.

"Would you be terribly upset with me if I did invite Mr. Mason and Beryl to dinner one evening, Charlie?" she asked softly into the darkness, her fingers toying with a button on his pyjama shirt.

"You know I could never be upset with you," he said, dropping a kiss to the top of her head. "I simply don't see that it's any of our business, that's all. If Mr. Mason likes Beryl in that way, he could pluck up the courage and ask her out or at least make his intentions known instead of only speaking to her on Sundays or if he happens to pass her in the village during the week."

"Well, all men can't be you, Charlie Carson! Not everyone is able to walk into a room and command the attention of everyone there simply by being present, looking incredibly handsome, and sending shivers down the spines of every female in the room," she teased.

"Get away with you!"

"No, I mean it. You stole my heart away not long after we met, and I've not regretted it a single moment since." She stretched up and kissed him soundly on the lips, earning a deep moan of satisfaction from him, and encouraging him to forget all about sleep for the rest of the night.

For the next few weeks, Elsie had dropped little subtle hints about the upcoming movie, An Affair to Remember. She would keep him informed on the latest reviews, show him the promotional pictures of Cary Grant and Deborah Kerr, and remind him that he'd enjoyed the last movie they'd attended, The King and I, despite his reluctance in the beginning.

He would smile and listen intently, as he always did when she spoke. Her enthusiasm and the very tone of her voice made him happy, and he made no attempts to hide his love for her. As they sat and enjoyed a glass of wine before bed, he placed his book aside and chose, instead, to watch her. Everything she did fascinated him, made him proud to call her his wife. When she caught him staring, she quirked an eyebrow in silent question.

"Can't a man simply enjoy watching his wife when she's so beautiful, and he loves her so very much?" He stretched out his hand beckoning her to join him. He watched as she gracefully stood and walked over to his chair, slipping into his lap and snuggling into his arms.

"What's brought this on, Mr. Carson?" She rested her head on his shoulder and carded her fingers through his hair soothingly.

"Nothing. I was merely counting my lucky stars and saying prayers that you love me, and we have a very happy marriage. I'll admit that sometimes that thought renders me speechless when I think of all the other men who would happily have courted and married you if given half the chance."

She shifted so that her face was in front of his, blue eyes locked with brown ones. "But none of those other men would have stood a chance once I met you, Charles. You are the only man for me, and I hope you know that."

"Aside from Cary Grant, you mean," he said with a smirk, earning him a playful slap on the arm.

"Well, considering he lives in America and you're here … I think you're pretty safe."

Charles burst into laughter and hugged Elsie tightly to him, tickling her sides for her cheeky comments. "Far be it from me to keep you apart from your American lover. I've left some money on the kitchen table. I was going to wait until tomorrow and let you find it but I can't wait. Take the money and go into town. Buy those tickets for opening night of the movie. We'll make an evening of it, get all dressed up, dinner somewhere fancy, truly spoil ourselves. We've earned it."

Elsie let out a squeal of delight and threw her arms around his neck, peppering his face with a multitude of kisses, the last one leaving them both quite breathless.

The following day, as Charles sat and studied the wine ledgers for Crawley and Company, he received a phone call from Elsie. "No need to rush home tonight, Charlie," she said softly, and he could tell something had upset her. She didn't sound as happy as she had when he'd left the house at lunch.

"Why? Got a date with a handsome bloke from the States?" he teased.

"No," she said softly. "I went to the theatre and tried to purchase tickets. The ticket lad said they were sold out and had been for a few days. I thought I would let you know so you didn't rush home. I'll prepare a beef stew or maybe some fish for supper."

It broke his heart to hear her so disappointed, and he felt incredibly guilty. If he hadn't dragged his feet about going or had purchased the tickets himself as a surprise, his wife would be spending the afternoon anticipating his arrival and their date for the evening. "I'm sorry, love. But we can go another evening. After all, this is just the first night. These things usually stay around for a few weeks. I promise you, you'll see it." He heard her hum her acceptance and a soft sigh. "I love you, Mrs. Carson."

"I love you, too, Mr. Carson. Now, I best be off. I've work to do and so do you," she said softly. "See you when you get home." With a soft click, the conversation ended and Charles sat back in his chair, his mind already whirling with ways to lighten her mood when he reached home.

After one important phone call and a stop by his favorite florist, Charles hurried to the cottage, hoping Elsie would be there instead of visiting with Beryl. "Elsie, love, I'm home," he called out, placing his hat on the coat rack and beginning to search the front rooms for her. He noticed that the door to the back garden was open, and as soon as he started in that general direction, Elsie came through with a confused look on her face.

"I thought I heard you. What in heavens name are you doing home at this hour? Is something wrong?"

He circled her waist with one arm and presented her with the bouquet of flowers. "Can't a man surprise his wife for no reason at all?" He leaned in and kissed her deeply, squeezing her to him and relishing in the sounds she made.

"If he comes in and kisses his wife like that and comes bearing flowers, he most certainly can," she laughed. "I'm sorry about the way I must have sounded on the phone earlier. I was just disappointed, but as you pointed out, there will be other opportunities to see the movie. I hope that's not what all this is about. I'd feel so very foolish."

"You, my dear, are the very last person I could call foolish. But, to be truthful, this is, in a way, about our evening plans." He guided her to the sofa in their living room and sat down, drawing her into his lap, giving her time to get settled before continuing. "You have approximately two hours before we have to leave this house for our date. I want you to wear your prettiest dress and that lovely smile of yours, please."

She was already shaking her head. "Charlie, you don't have to take me out to dinner just because I was a little disappointed. I don't mind having a quiet evening at home."

"And are you prepared to tell Cary Grant the same thing? You have a date with him in two hours, give or take a bit, but if you'd rather not go …"

"Go? But the movie doesn't start until eight and they're sold out. I told you that already. We can plan to go another night, but it seems everyone else decided to go on opening night, too."

"Ah, you underestimate me, love. You see, I called in a favor and you … well, that is to say … we … have an appointment in two hours at the movie theatre. Then, after we've enjoyed the show, and while everyone else is seeing it, we can go to dinner at a restaurant of your choosing, then maybe take a walk down by the lake. The main thing is … you need to get yourself sorted."

Elsie sat in his lap, unmoving and utterly astonished. This man, this wonderful and amazing man, had gone to great lengths just to see her happy. Tears spilled from her eyes as she stared into his face, words abandoning her as she was overcome with emotions. She reached up to wipe them from her cheeks but was stopped as he reached up and tenderly stroked her face.

"Happy tears?" he ventured nervously.

She nodded her head vigorously. "Happy, and overwhelmed, and shocked. I don't know how you managed it, Charlie. They told me all the seats were taken."

"And they are. You are correct. But, I know the manager. I helped his son earn a position in a very prominent restaurant in London as their sommelier. Since then, the lad has gone on to become respected in London and is earning quite a bit. Walter was only too happy to arrange a little something for me. I explained that my pretty wife had her heart set on seeing this movie on opening night, that all the tickets were gone, and I would greatly appreciate any help he could give me."

"I don't know if I've told you lately, or even enough for that matter, but you are wonderful and I love you so very much."

He chuckled and kissed the tip of her nose. "You haven't, and I thank you. Now, please go upstairs and do whatever it is you think you need to do. We need to leave the cottage no later than half past five. Our movie starts promptly at six," he said, giving her a little squeeze and helping her to her feet.

She wrapped her arms around him and hugged him tightly. "I don't know what I ever did to deserve you, Charles Edward Carson, but I'm ever so grateful that I did." She placed a quick peck to his lips, then slipped from his arms and practically ran upstairs to bathe and dress for the evening.

Charles gave her plenty of uninterrupted time before going upstairs to freshen up and change into a different suit and tie. As he entered their bedroom, he could hear her singing, and it warmed his heart to know that she was so happy and excited.

Promptly at six o'clock, they arrived at the doors of the theatre. "Walter, I'd like you to meet my lovely wife, Elsie. She's been looking forward to this movie for weeks, and you've made her a happy woman."

Walter gave a slight nod of his head towards his friend and offered Elsie a warm smile. "The pleasure is all mine, Mrs. Carson. Your husband phoned and explained the situation to me. There was no way I could refuse his simple request. I hope you both will enjoy the show. Oh, and please feel free to stop by the concessions for a box of popcorn … on the house. Amelia, here, will get you settled and then I'll start the movie reel."

Charles gripped his friend's hand tightly, silently thanking him for his generosity and expressing his gratitude. He was about to follow Amelia and Elsie when Walter stopped him.

"Two things. You and your wife will be the only ones in the theatre. Amelia and I will be out front preparing for the eight o'clock showing if you need anything. Also, I hope you brought a handkerchief. It might come in quite handy towards the end." He clapped Charles on the shoulder and gave him a gentle shove towards the ladies, a broad smile on the faces of both men.

Elsie chose seats in the very middle of the theatre and waited with great anticipation for the start of the movie. "No matter what I end up thinking of this movie, Charlie, I want you to know that I love you so much for making this happen."

"More than Cary Grant?" he asked, reaching over to pat her knee, a little twinkle in his eyes.

Elsie turned fully in her seat to face her husband. "You keep saying little things like that, Charles. Why? Do you honestly think I'd find him more attractive or interesting than you? I know it was teasing in the beginning but you've said it quite a lot, actually."

"What's not to like, I suppose? He's rich, handsome, successful, and I did hear a rumor that he makes you shiver all over." He cast his eyes down to their joined hands, not wishing her to see the small hint of jealousy that he was certain was invading his eyes.

"That, my dear husband, was Beryl! I never said that. The only man that's ever or will ever make me shiver all over is the one sitting right beside me, holding my hand, and taking me to dinner after this movie is over. Though, I will admit that it's nice to know that my husband can get a little jealous of my crush on a movie star."

He gave a quiet little grunt and raised his eyebrows. "Well, I wouldn't want you to think I'd gone off you, or the idea of being married to you. I am not good with displays of affection, though you know you have my heart entirely." Daringly, he leaned over and kissed her slowly, passionately on the lips, momentarily forgetting where they were and why they were there. When he pulled back, he tucked a lock of hair behind her ear and whispered softly. "Not entirely proper, but there you have it."

"Mr. Carson, all women need someone to show a bit of interest every now and then, preferably in a manner that is not entirely proper." She shifted in her seat so that she was as close to him as she could get given the seating arrangement. She looped her arm through his and for the next two hours, they enjoyed the movie curled up together. Her head rested on his shoulder and his warm hand settled on her thigh, his fingertips occasionally stroking her leg through the fabric of her dress.

When the movie finally drew to a close, Charles reached into his pocket for his handkerchief. Instead of handing it to Elsie to dry her eyes, he tenderly dabbed the tears away for her. "Are you going to be okay, sweetheart?"

She nodded her head and sniffed. "It was such a lovely movie, and I'm so glad they were together in the end."

He wrapped his arms around her and hugged her to his side. "Yes, it all worked out well in the end, didn't it? And I'm sure he never left her side again."

"She shouldn't have kept it a secret from him, though. It's wasn't fair to him," she ventured, then stopped when she remembered her health scare a few years before they were married.

As if he was reading her thoughts, he pressed a kiss to her temple. "They learned their lesson, and so did we, Elsie. No looking back. No regrets. No secrets. Just trust, happiness, and love, wouldn't you agree?"

With no warning, Elsie threw her arms around him and kissed him soundly, letting all of her emotions play out through her lips on his, her arms wrapped tightly around him. He was her one true love, the man who made each day better just by being part of it, and she had an overwhelming desire to let him know, yet she knew he already did.

"I want us to live as closely as two people can for the time that remains to us on earth," he had said when he proposed and that sentiment had carried them through minutes, days, and years of wedded bliss. Today was just another of those magic filled days.

Suddenly, a man cleared his voice behind them and they broke apart, both embarrassed and with red cheeks. "I suppose this means that you enjoyed the movie," Walter joked from the back of the theatre.

"It was very moving," Elsie answered, hastily wiping at her cheeks with the back of her hand.

"Take your time, but I wanted to warn you that there's already a queue forming outside for the movie. I didn't want you to be surprised when you reached the lobby and see almost everyone you know," he said with a laugh.

Charles thanked the man and waited until he was gone before caressing Elsie's cheek. "Ready to go to dinner, love? We have the rest of the night to talk about the movie, or anything else on your mind."

Elsie stood and smoothed down her dress, touched the back of her hair to make sure it was all in place, and squared her shoulders. "Ready."

Charles reached down and took her hand in his, giving it a squeeze as they exited the theatre to the lobby. They weren't surprised to see so many familiar faces there, especially since Walter had alerted them to the line forming. They stopped and chatted with a few of their friends along the way, trying to avoid answering questions about the movie or how they were treated to a special screening.

"Mrs. Carson, aren't you the lucky woman? How on earth did you manage to see the movie before the rest of us in the village?" Mrs. Wigan asked in a honeyed tone that was sickeningly sweet.

Elsie wrapped her arm around Charles's arm and smiled. "My very own Cary Grant, here, arranged it," she answered, giving a little wink to her husband and smiling proudly. "He's quite the plotter when he wants to be."

"Hmm! And what did you think of the movie, particularly the ending? I hear it's quite sad."

"I enjoyed it very much. And the ending … well, let's just say that it was quite … heavenly." She cast a quick glance at her speechless husband and one to Walter. "And the evening isn't over yet." Elsie gave Charles's hand a little pat. "I believe we have dinner plans, Charlie. We wouldn't want to be late or to keep Mrs. Wigan from her movie."

They bid everyone else a pleasant evening then stepped out into the fresh autumn air. "What was all of that about in there, Elsie? It's not like you to be so … so …"

"Possessive?"

"Well, that wasn't the word I was going to use."

"Mr. Carson, one day I will tell you all about the women in this village and how you're perceived among them. But tonight, the only woman I want on your mind is me, and I can promise you, you are the only man who fills my thoughts, day and night. Now, shall we go to dinner and then have an early night? I'm sure we have more important things to do than to discuss the postmistress or an actor from across the Atlantic."

"Sounds like the closest thing to heaven … because I'll be sharing it all with you."

The End!

**Thank you so much for reading the story. I hope you'll take a moment or two and let me know what you thought of my answer to the Chelsie Prompt: movie theatre. Hugs and kisses!