Picnic
A loud boom of thunder followed by a brilliant streak of lightning woke Elsie from a dreamless sleep. She was content to be wrapped up in Charlie's warm arms, being held securely and lovingly throughout the night. She turned over and snuggled deeper into his embrace, not surprised by another deafening rumble and flash of bright light that lit up the room from the outside. Without thinking, she sighed unhappily, a small puff of air tickling Charles's neck and causing him to stir.
"Alright, love?" His voice was gruff from sleep, though there was love laced through every syllable. Instinctively, he tightened his arms around her, drawing her closer.
"Fine," she said, smoothing her hand across his chest. "Storming outside today, and I had hoped for prettier weather." She dropped a kiss to his cheek and settled back into his side. "Nothing to be done about it, though. Go back to sleep," she said encouragingly. It was still early, and there was no reason for either of them to start their day just yet.
When they did finally pull themselves from their comfortable bed and down the stairs, Elsie bustled about in the kitchen making a simple breakfast of toast, porridge, and coffee. "Do you want honey or jam on your toast this morning?" she called out to her husband, only to be startled by his presence directly behind her.
"No need to shout, love!" He smiled and kissed her cheek. "Honey would be a nice change. I'll get it." He reached above her head and into the cabinets, pulling the small jar from their cupboard. "We will need to get another jar soon. Maybe when we go to the home farm next we can pick up another and maybe some of that strawberry jam you love so much."
"Yes, well, we will have to wait until it stops raining, and who knows how long that will be." Her words were a bit bitter, and she walked passed Charles and into their small dining area, taking the plate of toast and the pot of coffee with her.
Sensing something was wrong, and it would be better to get to the bottom of it sooner rather than later, Charles followed in her wake. He walked up behind her and slipped his arms around her waist, easing the plate of toast from her hand and placing it in the center of the table. "Care to tell me what's eating at you today, Mrs. Carson? It's not like you to be this grumpy. That's my job," he said, hoping to coax a smile from her lips.
She turned in his arms and hugged him. "I'm sorry. You don't deserve my attitude today. I'm being silly, that's all."
"If something has upset you, especially if it's something I've done, let's talk about it before you get any more worked up than you already are." He kissed the tip of her nose and leaned down a little so he could stare directly into her blue eyes.
"You'll think me silly." When his gaze didn't waiver and his arms around her only tightened, holding her more securely, she ventured on. "I didn't know it was going to be storming and raining today," she answered, as if that was all the clarification needed for her husband to fully understand the situation.
"I see." In truth, he didn't see at all, and he hoped she would explain further. "Shall I make a few calls and see if I can order us better weather for the afternoon?" He tickled her side until she was squirming in his arms and begging for mercy.
"I wanted to surprise you with a picnic today. That's why I'm so irritable. I had no idea it was supposed to be nasty outside, and I've been looking forward to this all week. I went into town yesterday, while you were at the abbey, and picked up a few things to take with us. I suppose we'll simply have them for our lunch or supper now. They'll likely go bad before the rain stops and the ground dries up enough for an outing."
He kissed the top of her head and hugged her. "The sentiment is lovely, and I'm sure the luncheon we share will be just as delicious at the table as it would have been on a blanket down by the lake or somewhere else. Less ants to worry about, too," he said, laughing lightly at his own joke. "Let's not allow the rain to dampen our spirits, hmm?"
She sighed in defeat. "You're right. Might as well focus on the housework that needs doing and leave the romance and frivolity to the younger crowd."
For some reason, hearing those words tumbling from the lips of his beautiful wife shattered his heart. Did she really believe that romance and frivolity were only for the young? Was she growing bored with their life together, their comfortable routines, and other aspects of their marriage? She hadn't said anything but perhaps the impromptu lunch date was her way of cleverly getting him there in the end without having to actually give life to her words.
"Why don't we focus on our nice breakfast and then, afterwards, you can go upstairs and take a long soak in the tub? I'll clear away the dishes and tidy the sitting room. Take a book and enjoy the relaxing morning. It won't make up for your earlier plans, but it will be a nice little break from the routine of it all."
Elsie smiled. "I'm not bored, you know. I don't want you think that at all. I merely wanted to do something nice for you, a little something out of the ordinary for us."
"I realize that, and there will be other opportunities to surprise me, Mrs. Carson. Now, let's eat before the porridge gets cold and that pot in the kitchen with the residue gets too sticky and I have to really scrub to get it clean." He leaned down and kissed her sweetly on the lips before moving to pull out her chair for her, settling down afterwards and tucking into their meal.
While Elsie was upstairs taking a long soak in the tub, at her husbands' insistence, Charles worked diligently to plan a little surprise for his bride. She had been unusually upset by the sudden change in her plans, and it unnerved him to see her so downcast. Hoping to improve her mood despite the steady and heavy rains outside, he decided to plan a little surprise of his own.
Once everything was in place downstairs, he dashed up to their bedroom and quickly changed back into his pyjamas. Normally, he wouldn't be caught dead in them after climbing out of bed, unless he was ill, but these were special circumstances. He picked up the nightdress Elsie had been wearing and brought it to his nose, smiling as her familiar scent caressed his senses. "Elsie, love, when you're done in the tub, I want you to put your nightdress on for me, please."
"What in heavens name for, Charlie? It's not time for bed! And what if someone decides to visit us? I don't want to be caught in my gown."
"Elsie Carson, it's raining so hard, even the ducks don't want to be out in this mess. Besides, I've planned a little something and the appropriate attire, milady, is your evening wear … your bedtime evening wear. Don't feel the need to rush. I just thought I'd mention it while you were still bathing. I'll meet you downstairs."
He took a few steps away from the bathroom door and waited, grinning happily to himself as he heard the water beginning to slosh about, a true indication that she was emerging from her bath and would join him sooner rather than later. Not wanting to be caught out, he dashed quietly back to their sitting room, snatched up the book he'd been reading the night before, and tried to look casual. A few moments later, he heard her familiar steps on the same set of stairs.
"I feel silly in this in the middle of the day," she announced as she entered their sitting room. Her mouth dropped as he stood from the sofa and faced her, wearing his pyjamas and extending his hand to her.
"You look beautiful," he said softly as she took his offered hand and he brought hers to his lips for a tender kiss. "You look so soft and warm," he continued, drawing her into his arms until he was able to kiss her lips properly in a heated exchange. Sooner than either of them truly wished, he pulled back and began nuzzling the side of her neck as his fingertips began to glide up and down her back, varying the pressure and causing her to moan in delight.
"Charlie," she sighed. "Wha-what's all this … about?" She was struggling to form a complete sentence, her body crumbling under his skilled touch.
"Romance and frivolity," he whispered into her ear. "Never let it be said that a little rainstorm dampened our desire or determination." He stepped aside and moved to stand behind her so she could fully appreciate his efforts.
In the far corner of the room, near the largest window, Charles had spread a blanket on the floor. Two plates were already laid out, a bottle of wine was uncorked and breathing, and various other foods he'd found in their cupboard and refrigerator were spread out. He'd taken the pillows from their various chairs and sofa and placed them near the blanket as well, along with the afghan from their bedroom.
"Care to join me for a rainy day picnic, my love?"
Tears filled her eyes as she memorized every single detail. It was as if he'd read her mind when she'd been planning this days before. The only difference was the setting. She'd envisioned lazing about by the lake, and instead, they were going to snuggle by the window and enjoy the raging storm outside.
"It's even better than I imagined. Oh, Charlie, it's perfect."
"Housework and chores can wait until tomorrow. I do believe a luncheon has been planned in your honor. Afterwards, I thought I might read some poetry to you. Then, if we're feeling tired, we can simply recline and take a wee nap, or merely cuddle."
She smiled and wrapped her arms around his neck. "Napping was not in my picnic plans. Perhaps we might compromise on that one detail," she purred, pressing her entire body to his.
He cleared his throat and felt the tips of his ears beginning to burn. "I always said you planned the best and most impressive parties. Shall we discuss this compromise over a bottle of wine and some sandwiches?" He slipped his arm around her waist and guided her over to their little feast, immensely proud of himself for putting that smile back on her face and restoring happiness to their little love nest on such a gloomy day.
Later, as the two relaxed among the pillows and afghan, Elsie kissed Charles's bare chest. "Thank you for this. It's been a perfect outing without ever leaving home. I love you so very much."
"I think I have found a new love and appreciation for rainy day picnics with my best girl." He leaned over and kissed her hard on the lips, leaving her with no doubts about his love and ability to still romance the woman of his dreams.
A/N: Thought I would poke my head above ground and try to join in with the Unofficial Downton Abbey Series 8 challenge on Tumblr. I would really appreciate it, if you have the time and are so inclined, if you'd leave a comment. I hope to be able to post several of these in the upcoming weeks, but we'll see. Thanks for reading! ^_^