The house was quiet. Charles and Elsie let go of one another's hand and Mr. Carson and Mrs. Hughes began their regular late night checks. The doors were locked and clocks wound. The kitchen was spotless, lights turned off and fires attended.
Mrs. Hughes stood at the mantle in her parlor reading her sister's letter that had arrived the day before. Her sister would be thrilled. Mrs. Hughes had, of course, mentioned Mr. Carson in every letter she had ever sent and her sister often asked why she and Mr. Carson didn't make more of their friendship. Mrs. Hughes had always dismissed this as nonsense. "I'll be getting a bit of an I told you so." She didn't realize Mr. Carson was standing behind her in the doorway.
"I told you so?"
Mrs. Hughes spun around, "I didn't know you were there!" She gave him a warm smile. "My sister, "she said, indicating the letter. "She has asked me for years why you and I didn't have more than a friendship- actually, she called it a 'workship'."
"You talked about me to your sister?"
"Of course, you are my best friend. Of course I talked about you." She turned to place the letter back on the mantle.
Charles closed the door and made his way to Elsie. He put his hands on her hips and placed his chin on top of her head. "Do you think you will be able to sleep tonight?"
She leaned back against him and his arms moved around her waist. "I am exhausted, but I don't want it to end."
"Exactly."
She reached up and put her hand on the side of his face.
Charles nuzzled his mouth against the palm of her hand, "Mmmmm…"
Elsie let out a sigh and pulled down her hand. "I suppose we must sleep." She turned to face him, "We have everything to get to tomorrow."
He hugged her tightly and whispered into her hair, "Everything."
Following a gentle kiss, Charles released her from the embrace and asked, "May I walk you home?"
She took his arm. "You may."
Mr. Carson and Mrs. Hughes made their way to the corridor outside of the nursery. They had bid one another good night so many times over the years, but this was their first real good night.
Charles kissed Elsie and everything began.