Hot Chocolate
"If you'll lock up and switch out the lights, I'll go upstairs and stoke the fire and turn down the bed." Elsie gave Charles a tight squeeze and kissed his cheek before getting up from her comfortable position, wrapped up in his arms as they cuddled on the sofa.
"Fair enough. I'll need to let Katie out once more and then we'll both be upstairs and ready to snuggle with you, love." Charles stood and drew her into his arms and kissed her softly on the lips. "It's supposed to be very cold tonight, so I'll bring up an extra log."
Elsie wrapped her arms around his neck and stood on her tiptoes until her lips were brushing his. "I'm sure we'll be just fine and toasty without that extra log, Charlie. We can snuggle together and throw another blanket on the bed if necessary." She rubbed his nose with hers and grinned. "If I get cold, I can always snuggle closer to you," she said softly. "You won't mind that, will you?" she practically purred.
Charles swallowed hard and shook his head. "You know I don't mind. The closer the better, if you ask me." His voice rumbled through his body and into hers, causing a different kind of shiver to race up and down her spine. "Though, I only ask one thing," he said, his warm breath caressing her neck and ear.
"Anything, love," she half moaned as his lips settled just behind her ear on the spot that caused her knees to go weak. "Name it."
He nipped playfully at her earlobe and grinned. "Socks! Put some socks on those little ice blocks you call feet," he said with a hearty laugh and a tap to her bottom. "I love burrowing under the blankets with you, and all that entails," he said with a waggle of his eyebrows, "but your little toes can be a mood killer."
Elsie swatted his chest playfully. "Just for that, I should let you sleep down here on the sofa. Katie and I can keep warm upstairs." They both knew Elsie was teasing. She'd never make Charles sleep on the sofa. They would both be miserable, and she'd miss her big bear of a husband if he wasn't there to hold her at night.
He rubbed his hands up and down her back. "What if I promised to think of some other way to keep you toasty warm from your pretty head to those frosty toes, Mrs. Carson? Would I still be banished to this cold and desolate room, all alone without even the company of our dog to share my lonely night?"
She pretended to give it some serious consideration before finally giving him her answer. "I'll be upstairs slipping out of my nightgown and into a pair of your warmest socks, Mr. Carson. Don't keep me waiting too long," she teased, patting his chest and letting her hand glide down his body until she snapped the waistband of his pajama bottoms. Before he could reply, she was already making her way up the stairs to their bedroom. Playful or not, she would be adding another log to their bedroom fire, though, whatever she might have just said to her husband.
Charles stood dumbfounded for a moment, replaying the conversation in his head. He smiled to himself, thanking his lucky stars for sending Elsie into his life and for their happy, healthy married life. He might have stood there contemplating his good fortune longer had Katie not dashed to the back door, begging for a chance to go outside one last time before bed. "Alright, I'm coming. Be quick about it, though. It's cold and the last thing I need is your cold, wet nose pressed against me on one side and your Mam's feet on the other," he said with a chuckle as he opened the door for Katie.
While he waited on their little dog to take care of her needs, Charles went through his nightly routine, checking the windows, banking the fire, and setting out the teacups on the counter for their morning cuppa. He had just let Katie back in and locked the door leading out to the garden when he thought he heard the distinct sound of a car motor outside. Shaking his head at his own folly, he switched off the lights in their sitting room. His foot was on the bottom step when he heard the soft rapping on their front door, causing him to stop in mid-step, listening carefully to make sure his mind wasn't playing tricks on him.
"Mr. Carson? Mrs. Carson? It's Tom … Tom Branson," he man on the other side of the door called out. He had seen the lights going off in the little cottage, and he hoped to catch one or both of them before they went upstairs.
Hurriedly, Charles went to the door and opened it, surprised to see Tom Branson and Miss Sybbie on his stoop. "Please, Mr. Branson, come in. And Miss Sybbie, whatever are you doing out in this cold night air … and in you nightdress, no less?" Charles gave Tom a stern, questioning look. "I hope nothing's wrong at the house?"
"Mr. Carson, please, I need to see Mrs. Hughes," Sybbie said with a soft, weak voice. "It's important," she said, starting to cry once more.
"I'm sorry, Mr. Carson. She's been crying for over an hour and she kept asking for Mrs. Hughes. She wouldn't tell any of us why she was so upset. Nanny said she woke up from a bad dream and hasn't settled since."
Charles smiled sweetly at the little girl and reached out to gently caress her cheek. "Mrs. Hughes has gone up to bed, already, little lady." He watched as tears suddenly started to pool in Sybbie's eyes. She hadn't let Carson finish so he hurried on. "But, if you'd like to go sit by the fire with Katie, I'll go up and tell her you're here. You can show your Papa the way," he said softly, patting her gently on the head as he looked up at Tom. "I won't be long. Please, make yourself comfortable and warm by the fire."
Charles quickly climbed the stairs and opened the bedroom door, making sure to close it behind him immediately.
"There you are," Elsie said with a warm smile. "I'm awfully cold all alone up here and …"
"Elsie, get dressed. We have visitors downstairs," he said quickly. "Mr. Branson and Miss Sybbie are here, and she's quite upset about something. They drove here in an effort to appease her. She is asking for you, love."
She bolted out of bed and quickly began pulling on her knickers, nightdress, and robe, making sure to belt it quickly and tightly. She never even bothered with her slippers since her feet were warm in a pair of Charles's woolen socks. "She's not hurt, is she? No physical pains?" she asked, already making her way down the stairs in a rush.
"Not that I'm aware of, though I only got the basics. She looked like she was about to burst into tears and you know how I am with that."
"I know, love, but I'm sure she'll be just fine. I'll get to the bottom of it. Now, you keep Mr. Branson occupied while I see to the lass." Quickly, Elsie descended the stairs and took a minute to assess the situation before fully entering the sitting room where the little girl, her father, and the dog sat patiently.
"I told you I'd be back," Charles called softly to Sybbie, watching as the young girl shifted in her father's arms. "I just needed a minute to let her know you were here."
Charles and Tom watched as Sybbie's face brightened and she dashed from her father's arms, not stopping until she was safely ensconced in Elsie's warm and inviting arms.
Elsie had knelt down just seconds before her arms were filled with the little girl, Sybbie breathing an audible sigh of relief as Elsie cradled her to her chest. "Here, now, love, what's all this about?" she asked in a soothing voice. Elsie was just as curious as everyone else in the house, and likely everyone at the Abbey, too, as to why the girl insisted on seeing her.
Sybbie wrapped her arms tightly around Elsie's neck and clung to her for dear life, as if she were in mortal peril and might disappear at any moment. She felt and then heard the little girl starting to softly cry against her shoulder, and Elsie tried her best to soothe the small, precious girl in her arms.
"Shhh, you don't have to tell me right now, Miss Sybbie. How about you and I go into the kitchen and make some hot cocoa for everyone? I could use your expert help," she said gently, hoping to stop her crying and perhaps unearth the cause of her tears.
"I'd like that very much, Mrs. Hughes." She looked back at her father and Mr. Carson, giving them a small smile. "Would you like some hot cocoa, too?"
"I'd love a cup," Charles answered as Tom nodded his head in agreement. "We'll wait right here for you ladies, if that's agreeable."
"We won't be long," Elsie said with a bright smile before taking Sybbie's hand and leading her into the kitchen.
Once they were alone, Elsie began to gather the ingredients for their little chocolaty treat. She pulled a chair over to the stove so Sybbie could easily help her add the ingredients and stir the pot occasionally. "I'm glad you came to see me tonight," she said softly. "I wouldn't have had a reason to make hot chocolate tonight, otherwise."
"I'm sorry it's so late, Mrs. Hughes, but I just had to see you," Sybbie said, her little lip trembling as she spoke. "It couldn't wait until morning, but nobody would listen to me. And all I wanted was to see you."
Elsie smoothed the girls back from Sybbie's face and pressed a tender kiss to the top of her head, her arm wrapped comfortingly around the little girl's shoulder. "I see. Well, you've got my undivided attention now," she said as she added a little more cream to the chocolate in the pot. "Won't you share your secret with me? You've got me terribly worried."
Sybbie thought for a long moment as she watched Elsie pouring the drinks into pretty little cups. "I'll tell you but not in front of Mr. Carson or Papa. They might think I'm being silly or get angry because it's so late."
"I promise you, lass, they won't be angry or upset. We're all just very curious and concerned. It's not like you to be so upset. So, whatever it is that's worrying you, we only want to know so we can help. I promise you, that's all. Your Papa wouldn't have come all this way this late at night if he didn't want to make you happy again." Elsie put two cups of hot chocolate and a plate of biscuits on a tray then looked over at the little girl in her kitchen. "You think on that while I take these to Mr. Carson and your Papa. Mind you, it's hot so don't burn your tongue," she warned and gave the little girl a wink before heading to the sitting room.
Elsie found both men pacing the floor in front of the fireplace, talking in hushed tones, and both looking equally worried. "Before you ask, she hasn't said anything other than the fact that she's worried you'll both be upset with her for dragging you out here this late at night. I assured her that's not going to be the case. I added a little something extra to your cups to help with the frayed nerves," she added before returning to the kitchen and her little charge.
"Mrs. Hughes, I think I'm ready to tell you now," Sybbie said as she took another careful sip of her cocoa. Elsie blew on her hot cocoa to cool it a little while she listened and absorbed every word. "I had a very bad dream, and it seemed so real. That's what woke Nanny. She tried to tell me it was just a dream but she doesn't understand. She didn't know Mama like you did, or Mr. Carson."
Elsie reached over and tucked a curl behind Sybbie's ear. "You had a dream about your Mama? Love, that happens sometimes. I still dream about my Mam, and she's been gone for longer than yours."
Sybbie shook her head as a fresh wave of tears spilled down her already reddened cheeks. "No, it wasn't just about Mama. You were there, too, and you were going away. We were supposed to read and bake cookies but when I went to your sitting room, you weren't there. Everyone was crying. I ran and ran through the house but couldn't find Mr. Carson, either. He was supposed to read the next chapter in my book while we ate the cookies but the book was on your desk. I was so scared because you were both gone, and I didn't get a chance to say goodbye … or that I love you very much," she said as her little body began to shake with sobs.
Tears were flowing freely down Elsie's face and she quickly gathered the girl into her arms and rocked her gently. "Oh, sweetheart, I'm so very sorry about your bad dream. But, we must remember that it was just that … a nasty little dream. Mr. Carson and I are both very well, and we have no plans to go anywhere anytime soon," she said, kissing the top of Sybbie's head and holding her tightly in her arms.
"But it seemed so real. When I woke up and you weren't at the house, I got very scared. I just had to see you to make sure you were fine. I'm sorry if I woke you up from your dreams. Mr. Carson said you were already in bed when we arrived."
"I was, indeed, but I hadn't gone to sleep just yet. I was just settling down for the night … and you should, too."
Sybbie snuggled deeper into Elsie's arms. "I'm afraid to go back to sleep. What if my dream comes back or it's worse the next time? What if you, Mr. Carson, and Papa are all gone in the next dream?"
"Then, we'll just have to do our best to make sure that doesn't happen, won't we?" Elsie pulled the steaming mug of chocolate closer to Sybbie. "Why don't you finish this, and then we'll see if we can convince Mr. Carson to read us a chapter in your book? We can snuggle on the sofa with Katie and, when you're ready, your Papa can take you home and tuck you into your own bed."
"But I don't have my book. It's on your desk, just like in my dream," she answered sadly.
"Ah, your book is there, but I happen to know that Mr. Carson has his very own copy of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, and I'm sure you can help him remember which chapter we're supposed to read next."
She took a long sip of her now cooling chocolate and quickly ate the last biscuit. "Would you ask him for me? I'm still a little afraid they might be upset with me."
"I'll ask, but you mustn't worry. We all have bad dreams from time to time, and they can seem incredibly real. I'll let you in on a little secret. I sometimes have bad dreams, and Mr. Carson holds me tightly until I'm calmer. And even he has dreams that aren't so nice."
"And do you hold him until they go away?"
"I do. That's what we do for those we love very much, just like I'm holding you in my lap and your Papa loved you enough to drive all the way here in the cold tonight."
Sybbie wrapped her arms around Elsie's neck and kissed her cheek. "I love you, Mrs. Hughes, and I'm awfully glad you're not going anywhere for a very long time." She slipped off Elsie's lap and took her hand, timidly leading her into the room where her father and Mr. Carson waited.
"Mr. Carson, Miss Sybbie and I would like it very much if you could read us the next chapter in our book. We think that will give us better dreams than the one we had most recently which happened to be quite scary. Isn't that right, Miss Sybbie?"
"Please, Mr. Carson? Mrs. Hughes says you have a copy of the Alice book, and I think it will make me feel better." Tom sat in amazement as the two adults gently tended to his young daughter, treating her as if she were truly one of their own. His love and admiration for Mrs. Hughes only grew as he watched the maternal figure in his life gather his little darling girl into her arms, pull an afghan from the back of the sofa, and settle in so that the paternal figure in his life could read to his child. Quickly, Tom wiped away the tears of gratefulness as he sat quietly in the corner and listened.
By the time Charles had finished the chapter, Sybbie was sleeping soundly in Elsie's arms, her little hand clutching Elsie's hand to her chest. Unfortunately, every time Elsie made to move the little girl, she would give a little whimper and snuggle deeper into Elsie's embrace.
"I'll just have to wake her and take her home," Tom said softly as he brushed the hair back from her forehead.
"No, just leave her," Elsie announced suddenly, then looked over pleadingly at Charles, hoping he would understand. His subtle nod was all the encouragement she needed. "Go home and get some sleep. Tell Nanny we will bring her with us when we come in tomorrow. She can spend the morning here with us, playing with Katie, and maybe reading another chapter or two in our book. She won't be any trouble."
"I couldn't impose on you, either of you," he said turning to Charles and offering what he hoped was a sincere apology for interrupting their evening.
"Mrs. Hughes is right. She's certainly no trouble. She's small enough that she can sleep with us. That way, if she has another nightmare, Elsie will be there to soothe her, and you and Nanny will get some rest." Charles cleared his throat, suddenly worried that he might have overstepped his boundaries. "Of course, she is your daughter and you would know what's best for her, Mr. Branson."
Tom smiled at Charles then turned his face towards Elsie. "Right now, she has the best of everything," he said with emotion creeping into his voice. "She has the love of two wonderful people who have taken her into their own hearts as if she were their own." He bent down and kissed his daughter's forehead, smiling as she turned her head away from him and burrowing closer to Elsie. "Well, that's me told off, then," he said with a laugh. "You're sure?"
"Go. We'll bring her home tomorrow."
"Phone the house in the morning, and let me know what time you'd like me to send the car for you."
"We can walk as we always do," Charles answered quickly.
"No, Mr. Carson, we can't. Seems this little lass came out of the house with no shoes," Elsie said, lifting the afghan to show him her ten little perfect toes. "Neither of us can carry her that far, so we'll phone in the morning, Mr. Branson."
As Elsie carried Sybbie upstairs to get her settled for the night, Charles showed Tom to the door then once more secured the house before climbing the stairs. After stoking the fire in the bedroom and slipping into bed, Charles turned out the lights, his arm draped protectively across Sybbie and his hand resting on Elsie's back as she hugged the girl to her.
"I love you, Charlie. Thank you for not arguing with me on this," she whispered into the darkness.
"I love you, too, Elsie. I could see how much it meant to both of you to be together. Was her dream really that bad?"
Elsie moved his hand to her lips and kissed his knuckles. "Yes, love, it was. She dreamed she lost us … both of us. That's why it was so important to see us tonight, why she couldn't be appeased at the house."
Charles gave Elsie's side a squeeze, offering her a little comfort. "Well, we will make sure she has a grand day in the morning, then, to wash away the bad dreams from her mind … and ours."
Just then, Sybbie shifted a little closer to Charles, her little feet pressing firmly to his pajama clad leg, and causing him to yelp in surprise.
"Whatever's the matter, Charlie?"
"You two may not be related by blood, but you're certainly family! Her little feet are just as frozen as yours, and she can't even wear my socks."
"You're right. We may not be related by blood, but she's certainly family … she's part of our family."
"Sweet dreams, my little frigid toed ones," Charles said with a chuckle.
"Love you," Sybbie mumbled in reply before tossing her arm over Charles and rolling onto her side in search of his warmth.
The last sound of the evening was the soft gasp from Elsie as she discovered what it's truly like to sleep with someone with cold feet and a belly full of cocoa.
A/N: Written in response to the Chelsie Prompt on Tumblr. This week, the challenge was hot chocolate/hot cocoa. Hope you enjoyed this little story. Yes, I know it's highly unlikely that Sybbie would stay overnight with the Carsons, but hey, it's fanfic and AU's happen. lol