New Year's Eve 3

A/N Warning: Fluff, lots of fluff and more fluff. And lots of Chelsie sweetness.

A very happy new year to all of you who have reviewed my stories.

Thank you so much!

Tidings of comfort and joy.

o-o-o-o

The new year was one hour old when they excited Charles' office again.

Five minutes before midnight, they had woken Miss Sybil and she in turn had woken her cousin. 'George, we are going to watch the fireworks!' she had exclaimed in delight. Seeing both children sleeping peacefully Charles had been hesitating to wake them, but Elsie told him Sybbie would never forgive them if they didn't.

So they had bundled the children up in robes and blankets and taken them to the drawing room, from where the fireworks could best be seen.

It had been the most magnificent thing. Red and green lights, gold and silver stars had brightened up the sky. Fountains of gold erupted high in the sky, then changing into hundreds of green stars, slowly falling down to the grounds. In the distance, the orange glow of the bonfire could be seen. Sybil had climbed on Charles' lap, watching the spectacle wide-eyed and breathless, pinkie in her mouth, while George sat on Elsie's lap, squealing in delight and waving his little hands at every rain of stars.

'I wish Daddy was here,' Sybil said into Charles' chest and it broke his heart.

'I am sure he thinks of you, dear girl,' he told her, stroking her hair.

'You know what?' Elsie said. 'Why don't you draw your daddy a picture of the fireworks. I know he would love that very much. I've brought my colouring pencils and Mr Carson will help you.'

A few tears were wiped away and she smiled happily.

'Oh yes, daddy would love that! Will you really help me Carson?'

And so he found himself with Sybbie on his knee, helping her drawing green and red stars and feeling completely happy, while Elsie fed Master George milk and a biscuit.

When the drawing was finished, they took the children back to bed. George fell asleep at once, but Miss Sybil grabbed Elsie's hand.

'Elsie, will you tell me a bedtime story?' she asked softly.

'Of course love.'

The housekeeper sat down next to the girl's bed, held her hand and began her story.

'Once upon a time, in a country far away from here, there was a lovely princess who lived in a beautiful castle. She was very pretty, she had dark hair and blue eyes and her name was Sybil. She was the sweetest girl in the castle and everybody loved her. She liked to draw pictures and to dress up and she was best friends with a girl named Gwen. One day….'

Charles listened how Elsie told the girl the story of her mother and father and for the second time that evening he felt a tear slide down his cheek.

'…and the princess fell in love with the chauffeur, didn't she Elsie?' Miss Sybbie yawned.

'Oh yes she did, and they loved each other very much,' Elsie smiled.

At that point Sybbie usually fell asleep and tonight was no exception.

Elsie carefully put Sybbie's hand under the blanket, stood and she and Charles left the room.

He closed the door very carefully, so not to wake them and then pulled his Elsie in his arms.

'You wonderful, beautiful woman,' he said, twirling her around in the corridor.

'You have just made me love you even more, which I didn't think possible. I take it that wasn't the first time you've told her that story?'

'When she asks me for a story, this is what she wants to hear,' Elsie confirmed. 'She knows it's about her parents, but she still likes to hear it as a fairy tale. I suppose it comforts her or I don't know.'

'I see now why she's so fond of you,' he said.

'I felt so sorry for her and Tom. I just had to help them a bit.'

'Tom?'

She blushed. 'He has asked me to be Sybil's second granny. His own parents are dead, you know. But it's our secret, and now you know, too.'

'I am honoured,' he smiled.

'Now then, dear granny of Miss Sybil, come to the great hall with me please. I've got a surprise for you.'

'Another one?' she cried in delight.

'Yes.'

He took her to the great hall, placed her in the middle of it and told her to close her eyes.

Soon she heard music began to play, and suddenly he was back at her side and took her hand. 'I know how much you love to dance and how seldom you get the opportunity. So I put the record player up and found a few records. May I have the pleasure of this dance, milady?'

'You may, dear sir.'

She had enjoyed being in his arms earlier that evening, but it was nothing compared to being in his arms and waltz around the great hall. He was a good dancer and really, Viennese waltzes were made for romance. When the record finished, he lead her to a chair and offered her a glass of wine.

'Charles, it's the loveliest surprise! I feel like a real lady, thank you so much!'

She looked beautiful, with her flushed cheeks and sparkling eyes and he just had to kiss her before sitting down with his own glass.

'And there's more to come, my love,' he smiled.

'I can't wait! But it's past two, what time did you tell the others to return home?'

'I didn't tell them anything. I only told Mr Barrow that as the under-butler, he's responsible for all of the staff to return home safely. You know how much he likes to be in charge, I thought I'd do him a favour and see how he manages. So I have no idea at what time they'll return, that's why I asked Henry to put the children's beds in my office. I'll probably spend the night downstairs, guarding the back door.'

She chuckled. 'I'm sure Mr Barrow loves being in charge, what a very good idea of yours.'

'I knew you'd approve. And so did Lord Grantham, by the way. Now, enough said of other people. Shall we have another dance?'

'Yes, please. A slow one.'

Two slow dances later they were back in her sitting room and in each others' arms on the settee, kissing sweetly between sips of wine and bits of chocolate.

'I've got something for you. A New Year's present,' Charles whispered in her ear, and he took a small gift wrapped box from his trouser pocket.

'I've got you a present as well, my love,' she smiled, finding a similar box in the top drawer of her desk.

They exchanged the boxes as well as a deep kiss and unwrapped their presents.

His gift contained a pair of monogrammed silver cufflinks. Hers held a pair of delicate silver earrings with aquamarine.

'Oh Charles…they're beautiful, thank you so much!' she gasped.

'They were my mother's. I never wanted anyone to have them but you, Elsie. I know housekeepers aren't allowed to wear jewellery, but I'd love to see you wear them on Sundays when we go to church, when I will wear these cufflinks, the most precious pair I possess because you gave them to me. Thank you, my dearest.'

'I have never received a gift that means so much to me,' she whispered. 'I love you, Charles.'

'I love you, too.'

o-o-o-o

'Mr Carson? Are you there?'

A knock on the door of Mrs Hughes' sitting room announced Mr Barrow's voice.

Charles rose from the settee, put on his dressing-gown over his shirt and trousers and went to answer the door, throwing it wide open.

'Yes, Mr Barrow?'

'Just reporting everyone has returned back home safely. I have locked the back door.'

'Thank you Mr Barrow. Have you all had a pleasant evening?'

'We had Mr Carson, very much, thank you. It was wonderful.'

'That's good, now please remind everyone to be quiet down here; the children are asleep in my office as you know.'

'I did Mr Carson, they've all gone upstairs. Goodnight.'

'Good night Mr Barrow. Oh, and since the family are away and we all had a night out, breakfast for the staff will be served around eleven. Mrs Patmore and the kitchen staff already know, will you tell the others? Thank you, Mr Barrow. And a happy new year to you!'

'Happy new year to you too, Mr Carson,' the under-butler said and then quickly went to his bed, yawning and a bit surprised. He had been sure the butler would not be alone in that room, but he was by all accounts.

Mr Carson crawled back under the tartan plaid on the settee, which wasn't big enough for his tall frame. But since it was the only piece of furniture downstairs resembling anything like a bed, he had decided he had to make do with it. Best place to keep an eye on the doors and the children and have a kip in between.

He checked his watch: just past four. Elsie had gone to her bedroom just ten minutes earlier, thank heavens, or Barrow might have caught them.

He fondly remembered their last conversation, muffled in each other's embraces.

'I want to make love to you Elsie, but not here, not now. The staff…and we're not married,' he'd whispered in her hair.

'Then let's get married, Mr Carson.'

'Would you? Would you marry me Elsie?'

'Yes, if you'd ask me.'

'Dear God yes, you're right…Elsie Hughes, I love you and I want to be with you forever. Would you do me the honour of becoming my wife?'

She smiled and kissed him.

'Yes Charles Carson, I love you and I want to be your wife. And I want you to make love to me, even if we're not married yet, I don't care… Please, Charles…'

But the settee really wasn't comfortable enough for proper love-making, certainly not for a first time, and she had smiled mischievously and told him that she could find some place better. Being the housekeeper had its benefits.

o-o-o-o

Another rap at the door woke Mr Carson.

This time it was Mrs Patmore, bringing him a fresh cup of tea.

'It's ten o'clock Mr Carson, I thought you'd like to go have a wash and a shave before breakfast. Heavens, have you spent the night on that lumpy old settee? You must feel awful!'

He stood and cracked his joints into the right positions.

'To be honest, I do feel awful Mrs Patmore. Thank you for waking me, a wash and shave will do me a world of good. And a happy new year to you, Mrs Patmore! Have you enjoyed New Year's Eve?'

The cook chuckled. 'I had a very pleasant evening, thank you Mr Carson, and all the best wishes to you too! That reminds me, Nanny was here to collect the children and she said Miss Sybil was going on and on about a picture for her daddy that you helped her draw, and it wasn't there. Do you know anything about that?'

He smiled and searched the papers on Mrs Hughes' desk.

'Yes I do, it's right here. She wanted to take it to bed with her but I thought I'd better keep it here. Thank you Mrs Patmore, I'll go right up and give it to her. And thank you for the hot chocolate last evening, it was a huge success.'

With that he left, leaving the cook flabbergasted.

Breakfast in the servant's hall was a very, very quiet affair. Most of the footmen and even some of the maids looked pale and only picked on their toast.

'A happy new year to all of you!' Mr Carson announced.

'A happy new year Mr Carson,' the staff answered unisono.

'Be sure to have plenty of tea, even if you're feeling weak,' he continued. 'I received a telephone call; the family will have tea in the Thirsk Grand with business associates and they will be back for dinner at seven. No need to hurry, but remember we'll have to be at our best at six!'

'Yes, Mr Carson,' the staff answered.

'Very well. Thank you,' he said.

Under the table he felt Mrs Hughes' knee nudge his.

He threw her a glance and she smiled at him.

'Well done,' she mouthed.

He smiled, feeling like a soppy fool.

Miss Sybil had jumped into his arms when he brought her the drawing they made together st midnight.

His Elsie loved him and waned to marry him.

Life was going to be good, in the new year.

o-o-o-o-o

A/N

This is the end of the story unless… you want me to write another chapter about the meeting Elsie has arranged for her and Charles. It might even border to M if you want that.

Who is in? Let me know, and when I have enough requests I'll give it a go! x george