New Year's Eve

A/N I couldn't resist the temptation of writing one more piece. Thank you deeedeee for putting certain images in my head, and Mona Love for your encouraging comments! Rated M between the cececece marks, so please skip that part if M is not your cup of tea.

Oh, wie Wunderbar

Nichts ist so wie es war

Durch ein winziges Wort

Heiraten

o-o-o-o

They got married on Valentine's day. Not because it was Valentine's Day, but because it was Tuesday, usually an easy day in the household when they could both easily be spared, Mr Carson had explained to the other staff. Elsie knew better and she found the gesture endearing.

Their new home was perfect and they would move in on their wedding day. A small cottage with a thatched roof, rose bushes in front and a large back garden. To Elsie's delight, Charles had started gardening already, planting flower bulbs and selecting vegetables and herbs for his kitchen garden.

She had been busy decorating and furnishing their home. Lady Grantham had told them to go to the attics and take anything they'd like, but she had been reluctant.

'I have money too, Charles. We can pay for our furniture!'

He had smiled at that, knowing how she would feel about taking anything from the family or anyone else, for that matter.

'Of course we can, my dear. But take these velour curtains for example. They were meant for the small drawing room but by mistake were cut too short, and since they didn't fit anywhere else either they've never been used. They'd be perfect for our living room, don't you think?'

'Well…yes, they are.'

'Then please accept them, Elsie. Lady Grantham doesn't mean to be condescending and you know it, too. She's just happy to give us something.'

'I know Charles…I'm being silly,' she had sighed, curling up against him.

'No love, you are not. You're being your independent self, a working woman. That's one of the million things I love about you. But it's all right to accept a gift now and then, Elsie.'

And so the curtains as well as a beautiful sideboard and a wingchair for Charles had found their way from the Downton attics into their home.

o-o-o-o

The wedding was suppose to be a quiet affair, with only his two brothers and her sister with their families present.

But in the morning of February 14th, Mrs Hughes was surprised to be woken by Anna and Miss Baxter.

'Good morning Mrs Hughes,' Anna beamed at the housekeeper while putting a tray with tea, toast, butter and honey on the bedside table. 'Miss Baxter and I are here to get you all ready for the day, orders of her Ladyship and Lady Mary.'

'What…? but I don't…' she spluttered.

Anna went to the small window and opened the curtains and Miss Baxter poured them tea.

'Please Mrs Hughes,' she smiled, 'allow us. I am going to draw you a bath and then we'll help you get dressed.'

The bath was wonderful and she enjoyed it. In the servant's quarters only women's bathroom it was, but Miss Baxter had brought some of Lady Grantham's lavender scented bath salt. She enjoyed the hot soak when miss Baxter knocked and entered.

'I've come to wash your hair, Mrs Hughes.'

'But that's not…'

'Of course it is not necessary. But we love to spoil you a bit for once, Mrs Hughes.'

Sweet scented soap was being kneaded in her hair by the lady's maid skilled hands, rinsed with lemon and rinsed again. She leant back and let the other woman take care of her.

Now I know why they don't want to lose their maids, she thought. It is bliss!

Finally Mrs Hughes climbed out of the bath and large, fluffy towels from Lady Grantham's bathroom were held up for her.

Anna and Miss Baxter dressed her like a bride. Nothing more outrageous than the grey suit and ivory coloured blouse she had selected, but her hair was made up in soft, shining waves and a beautiful carved comb was added.

She wore the silver and aquamarine earrings and Anna attached a corsage just below her shoulder.

'You look very pretty Mrs Hughes,' Anna whispered and hugged her. Miss Baxter smiled.

o-o-o-o

'You look very pretty Mrs Carson,' her husband whispered in her ear. The wedding ceremony had been somewhat extended. His brothers and her sister were present all right, and so were Mrs Patmore, Daisy, Mr and Mrs Bates, and Lady Mary Crawley, Mr Branson and Miss Sybbie.

It was a cool but sunny day and outside the church Elsie found her arms full of a beaming Miss Sybbie.

'I've never seen you look so beautiful, Mrs Carson!' the girl exclaimed.

'The same goes for me, Mrs Carson,' Lady Mary smiled. 'Carson, you and I are old friends and I am so happy to see you finally took your own advice. You know what I mean, don't you?'

He smiled at her. 'I do milady, and you are right.'

Then she turned to Elsie and took her hands. 'Congratulations Mrs Carson. I'm sure you and Carson will be happy together. When I grew up Carson was just as often a father figure to me than my own father, sometimes even more…I know you'll take good care of him,' she whispered.

'I will milady. Thank you.'

Lady Mary and Mr Branson went home after that, but all other guests were invited to a dinner in the Thirsk Grand, arranged for by the Dowager Countess.

But the biggest surprise was the letter from Lord and lady Grantham, telling them they'd have the next three days off.

'…to get familiar with your own home.'

o-o-o-o

Finally, at nine that evening, Mr Carson swept his wife up in his arms and carried her across the threshold into their new home.

'Charles no, put me down! Mind your back!'

He put her down, but only once they were inside.

'It's tradition, my dear. And don't mind my back, I feel like I could move mountains now that you're my wife,' he grinned.

'You'd better not try,' she remarked with a smile, and reached up to kiss him.

'I know it's silly, but I'd like to have a cup of coffee before we go to bed, shall we build a small fire in the kitchen only? ' she asked.

'Not silly at all dear,' he said and threw the living room door open.

A fire was crackling in the hearth, and the curtains were closed. He waved at the sofa.

'Sit down love, I'll just go to the kitchen and fetch our coffee. Everything is ready, thanks to Madge and young Peter.'

Elsie sank down on the sofa, speechless. She had expected their home to be dark and chilly that first evening, but the room was warm and cosy. Madge and the young hallboy must have prepared it for them, at Charles' request.

She felt a tear run down her cheek and quickly wiped it away when Charles brought in the coffee tray.

She got up and prepared them both a cup of coffee.

'Charles, that is so very sweet…having the house warmed up for us. I'm ashamed for not thinking about that, a sorry excuse for a wife I am..' she confessed.

He laughed and wrapped her in his arms.

'Don't be sorry Elsie, I know all that. I know you're not a housewife and I know you're hopeless in the kitchen… yes, Beryl told me about the lessons! I don't care, Elsie. If I wanted a perfect housewife I wouldn't have married you. But I wanted an intelligent woman, one that has opinions of her own and is not afraid to contradict me. I wanted a wonderful and bright woman who keeps surprising me and teases me. And I wanted the sweetest and most beautiful woman in the world. I want you Elsie, for so many years. Only you. I love you.'

'That's….very… and I love you, too,' she stammered against his neck.

He kissed her forehead.

'My dearest Mrs Carson, I think we should go upstairs now and initiate our new bed.'

She smiled.

'A very good idea Mr Carson.'

CECECECE

The bedroom was lit with candles, and a small lamp near the door. The curtains were closed to keep the February chill outside. There was no fire place, but the bed was large and covered with a feather duvet and woollen blankets.

Charles pulled his wife against him and kissed her. She smiled and began to undo his tie and collar. He watched her fingers free him from his restraints. His waistcoat was removed, his shirt was being opened. He caught her fingers between his own and kissed them. Slow down love. Let me. The white rose from her lapel was carefully removed and put away. He stroked her arms, her back, her hips. His hands kneaded her bottom and she sighed. His lips brushed her neck. So soft, so sweet... He removed her jacket and blouse, he just let the garments drop on the floor behind her as his mouth descended down her neck, her collarbone, her chest, the lace edges of her slip. His shirt followed her blouse on the floor and so did his trousers and her skirt.

He sat down on the bed and quickly slid off his shoes and socks, then he sat upright and just watched her. She was standing before him, all dressed in lace trimmed, ivory coloured silk he had never seen before and it had him breathless.

She smiled a bit shy under his adoring gaze.

'You are so beautiful,' he whispered. 'Please love, come sit beside me.'

She did and he wrapped his arms around her. Kissing her hair, he let his hands slowly roam down her sides and up again to gently cup her breasts.

'So beautiful.'

She gasped but he smiled against her neck and then slid his hands up into her hair.

'First things first,' he whispered while his fingers began the search for her hairpins. A slow search it was, each pin was removed and put into a small dish that sat on the nightstand and each lock of hair was carefully wound down and draped over her shoulder.

When the last pin was removed, his strong fingers massaged her scalp and she was like putty in his arms, her back leaning against his chest, her head resting on his shoulder, her hair down over her breasts.

'Charles, oh Charles…'

He pulled her close to him, enjoying the warmth of their bodies together, feeling he could stay like that for hours.

Then she turned around in his arms and kissed his mouth hungrily. Pressed him down on the bed and all but attacked him, with hands and tongue and…dear gods, teeth. She pulled his underwear away and crawled over him, trying to remove her shift at the same time, but he stilled her hands.

'No love… please... If you don't mind? Keep it on…and the stockings…it's so lovely…the rest can go…' he groaned. Knickers and brassiere were sent to the floor as she straddled him and he stroked her thighs and hips, and then slid down a shoulder strap to reveal one bare breast. The silk and lace pooled down her side and made the view even more enticing for him.

He reached out and began to explore. It was the first time he could really see and touch every bit of a woman's bosom. She smiled, she understood.

The other strap slid down her arm.

His fingers stroked the white flesh of her breasts, so soft to the touch and heavy and warm in his palms. Light brown nipples hardened under his gingerly touches and made her squirm. He pinched them gently between his fingertips and she moaned softly. 'Charles that's so good, that feels so good, oh my love…' He stroked her breasts, folded his large hands around them, watching her sweet face. She was clearly enjoying this and he felt proud to be the one to give her such pleasure. He kneaded his fingers and heard her soft gasps, lifted his head and kissed and tasted her…again and again, and he found the small scar on her left breast and ran his finger over it.

'Elsie, don't ever leave me in the dark like that again,' he groaned. 'I almost couldn't bear it then, and I'd be beyond desperate now.'

'I know love, I'm so sorry,' she whispered, 'but you know back then you were so busy and I didn't want you to worry about me, more less something you couldn't change...'

He put his finger on her lips. 'I understand now and it's all right,' he smiled at her. 'Just don't do it again.'

A tear slid down her cheek.

'You are so good to me,' she whispered.

'You deserve it, my love.'

Two more tears appeared.

'I don't deserve you.'

'Elsie I know where you came from, and you are the true love of my life. Never doubt that, my dearest.'

She bent down and kissed him.

'I love you Charles…'

'And I love you, my darling girl.'

'Roll over,' she said.

'What?'

'Lie on your stomach.'

He did and she straddled him once again, resting just below his buttocks.

Soon her hands were all over his back, spreading warm, scented oil over him. Never in his entire life had he experienced something like that. Her small, warm hands slid over his back, from his shoulders down to his buttocks and then started to rub him. Firmly working his muscles, and then light fingertips tingling along his spine. Up and down her hands went, taking turns in slowly caressing, stroking and then working his muscles. She took her time, and eventually he felt every bit of stress drain down the pores of his skin.

He groaned in delight.

'Elsie, what are you doing to me?'

'It's a massage Charles. Something from the Orient that I learned while I worked for Lady Huddlestone-James. It's nice, isn't it?'

'It's divine. Good heavens. I thought Lady Huddlestone-James was a lunatic.'

She chuckled, while kneading his shoulders.

'Oh yes, she was. She made us study spider webs for secret messages and we had to obey her cats and we weren't allowed to clean her bedroom. It was fun working there actually, but the one good thing we learned was how to give a massage. Do you like it?'

He moved and made her slide off his back.

'I love it, and I want to return the favour. Now you lie down on your stomach.'

She sat up on her knees beside him. 'The slip has to go then, Charles. Please take it off for me? My hands are oily,' she smiled sweetly. He swallowed and gathered the soft silk in his hands, then slowly pulled it over her head. She went to find a towel and removed the oil from her hands and his back

Her naked body glowed golden in the candlelight, and the sight of her sparkling eyes and long dark hair streaming over her shoulders put a soppy grin on his face.

'You are so beautiful, Elsie.'

She smiled and went to lie down on her stomach.

He moved to straddle her body just like she had done, trying to ignore his own need. Not yet.

He grabbed the oil, dribbled it on her back and she laughed.

'No, not like that! Warm it in your hands, first!'

'Sorry love,' he chuckled.

But when his strong, warm hands started to work the muscles on her back, she was silenced. He had been paying attention, she thought. Stars, but it was wonderful…

She felt herself aroused again when he began to pay particular attention to her behind.

A few drops of oil were added and he rubbed and kneaded her buttocks.

He bent down, kissed her neck and whispered 'you've got a delicious bottom,' in her ear, while cupping her firmly.

She moaned and he slid his oily fingers further down between her legs, stroking the soft flesh there, surprised to find her hot and wet and ready.

'Mmm, that feels so good…'

He kept stroking her and she shuddered.

'Oh Charles please, now…' she breathed.

He found the towel and rubbed her back, then gently made her roll over.

'I want to see you,' he whispered and she spread her legs.

He made a thorough exploration of the unknown, watching in wonder when her left hand began to fondle her breasts and the other joined his, between her legs.

'Women are reluctant and that's how it should be,' his father had explained to him. 'If they allow you to touch them they're strumpets, fallen women and to be avoided!'

The things they tell you when you are young.

~oOo~

Finally he slid a finger inside her and she sighed.

'So lovely…my Elsie,' he whispered, and he spread her legs some more with his knee, lowered himself between them and entered her slowly.

Gods! it was heaven and she moaned softly and moved against him.

They cried out together.

CECECECE

'Breakfast Mrs Carson.'

His deep voice woke her and she stretched her body like a cat.

'Mmm?'

'Breakfast, my dear.' He placed the tray on the nightstand and went to open the curtains.

'You're a married lady now, so you are served breakfast in bed by your own personal butler,' he smiled.

'Charles, you're spoiling me!'

'I've said it before; you deserve it. And I also happen to know you couldn't boil an egg if your life depended on it, my darling. So there we are.'

'That's not true!' she laughed. He raised an eyebrow and prepared their tea.

'Oh, all right. But I'm pretty good at making tea and toast, you know.'

He gave her a cup of tea and climbed back into bed with her.

'Yes, and you may prepare tea and toast whenever you like, but other than that Beryl told me to make sure you stay out of the kitchen.'

'She didn't!'

'She did. And she decided to teach me instead of you, and she's very satisfied with my efforts.'

He sounded rather proud and she chuckled.

'I won't lie, I've never liked cooking. So I have my own personal butler as well as a cook?'

'You have. All you have to do is run this household and you're the best at the job.'

She put her teacup back on the nightstand and cuddled up to her husband.

'I think I like being married to you, Mr Carson.'

'I know I like being married to you, Mrs Carson.'

o-o-o-o-o

THE END

A/N This really is the end! Dear me, writing anything M, I didn't know I had it in me. Many Thanks to all of you who have made it till here, I love all your reads and reviews! X george