"It's getting cold out here," he commented as he straightened from kissing her. "Perhaps we should go inside."
"Yes, alright. But just so you know, kissing you under the mistletoe isn't my only Christmas wish."
"Oh?" Anthony asked as he held the door open for her and then followed her inside.
"Every room, and not just kissing either," she replied mischievously over her shoulder.
"Every room? Just how many rooms does Downton have?"
"Enough to keep us occupied for a very long time," Edith rejoined as they moved through the main hall.
"And where should we begin," Anthony asked as he held up the mistletoe again.
"Come," she said as she pulled his hand and led him up the stairs.
"Edith?" Anthony wondered where she was taking him.
"We'll need privacy for my wish list."
"But….. I thought, well, we have several berries still."
"Oh, we'll use the berries. "
Edith led him around a corner and down a hall and then through a door. Anthony stood, light headed and aghast as he took in the room. This is…. Is this…. your bedroom?"
"It is," she said as she locked the door behind her. "And now I have you in it and intend to fulfill my every Christmas wish."
"I'm drunk. I must be. Or hallucinating," he breathed. 'Wait a minute. You were spiking my eggnog, weren't you?"
"I was. Are you angry?" Edith said sheepishly.
Anthony's face lit up much like the Christmas tree downstairs. "Heavens no. But are you sure?"
"I bought this dress with you in mind. What do you think?" She stood saucily in the middle of her room, her hands on her hips and the neckline of her dress even more open and inviting.
"I think that is the most delicious dress I've ever seen and between your wish list and mine, we'll be occupied for some time.
"Show me," she said.
Anthony stepped close to her and did what his fingers had been itching to do all evening. He slipped his hand into the broad slit of her neckline and touched nirvana. Edith's small gasp followed by a soft moan and slight shiver let him know his attention was desired. He let his thumb skid across her hardened nipple and felt her shudder in delight. Her hand wrapped around his neck and she pulled him into a kiss.
Edith was floating. Anthony's caresses and kisses were sending her to places she'd never been before, into a state of heightened excitement and ecstasy. But then he suddenly stopped and backed away slightly. Opening her eyes, she saw his reluctance clearly written in his face. She also saw worry. "What is it?" she asked worriedly.
"I… erm…. Are you sure?" he asked softly.
"I've dreamed of this for years, Anthony Strallan. I had a tremendous crush on you years ago, have regretted that we lost touch, and discovered that my crush has grown into something so much more since my return to Downton. Yes, I want this, I am absolutely certain I want this, with you."
"Then, er…. Could we…. That is to say…. Might you take me to the nursery, to see your daughter?"
"Marigold? Yes, of course. But why now?"
"I just…. " he sighed. "Please?"
She smiled and nodded as she turned to lead the way. She felt Anthony behind her, very close behind her. "This really isn't a part of my wish list, you know; you meeting Marigold just when we were about to…"
Anthony stopped and tugged at her arm until Edith turned to look at him. "I understand, sweet one. But I think this is important, before we… continue."
Edith was bewildered but turned to continue down the hall to the nursery. The two eased into the room where both George and Marigold were sleeping, along with Sybbie Branson. Sybil and Tom were, of course, visiting from Ireland for the holidays and their daughter Sybbie insisted on being with her cousins.
Edith led Anthony to little Marigold's bed, where her daughter was sound asleep, curled under the covers hugging her favorite bear. Edith stood gazing at her daughter, her heart filling with gratitude for the child, even if the circumstances of her birth had been less than ideal.
Anthony slipped up behind Edith, looking over her shoulder at the little miniature of Edith, almost an exact miniature. The child had a stronger jawline than Edith and her hair was fairer. He suspected as the child grew, her hair color would darken however. Slipping his hands around Edith's waist, Anthony rested his chin on her shoulder, his breath tickling at the side of her face. "She looks so very much like you," he whispered.
Closing her eyes in relief that Anthony had not reacted badly to her daughter, Edith leaned back into him. He took the opportunity to slip his hands into her dress once again, cradling her breasts, which had her folding even more into him, aroused. "Anthony…" she whispered needfully. Giving her soft mounds a gentle squeeze, he nuzzled at her neck. "Mmmmm…." Was his only response.
It was almost too much for Edith. Here she stood just inches away from her daughter in the arms of a man she knew she loved and he was…. Oh, what he was doing to her. Anthony rubbed his long fingers over her hardened nipples and then withdrew his hands to turn her to face him. His lips captured hers, the kiss deepening until his tongue was dancing enticingly with hers.
Withdrawing from the kiss he gazed into her eyes, lit ever so subtly by the small lamp on a corner table. "Edith," he said softly as he considered the question that he most wanted to ask.
"Should we… um… back to my room?" Edith asked shyly.
"No, not yet. I, erm…. I wonder if…"
She looked at him cautiously. "Wonder what, Anthony?"
"Do you think… I mean, is it possible that you might….Well, erm…. I've come to care for you very much; love you. And while I know it is unlikely, I wonder if you could possibly, um…"
"I do love you, Anthony; so very, very much."
His lips twitched before he broke into a smile. "You do?"
"I do; I really do."
Glancing over at the sleeping child and then back to Edith, he looked at her wide eyed. "Would you, that is to say…. " Taking a deep breath, he forged ahead, "Will you marry me? Make me the happiest of men? And perhaps we could create more little darlings like your Marigold?"
Edith's heart leapt with joy. But then she looked at her sleeping child. "What about Marigold?"
"What?"
"Well, we sort of come as a package."
"Right, yes; of course, you do. I just assumed…. She will live with us. And if it is agreeable to you and to her, I'd adopt her?"
Edith threw her arms around his neck and tearfully but quietly exclaimed, "yes".
Anthony held her close as he began to believe that this was truly happening. "Oh my darling…"
Edith, brimming with happiness, nuzzled close to his ear. "Do you think we might get back to my Christmas wish list now?"
Straightening up and putting a little distance between them, Anthony looked down into her eyes with dancing eyes of his own. "You mean your very naughty wish list?"
"Yes, one that I fear will only get naughtier each year," she teased.
"As will mine," he said lightly as he led her from the room, knowing that no matter what wishes future lists might include the very best one was coming true.
So ends my little story. I do hope you've enjoyed! And yes, I tried to incorporate all three prompts on my list, although the naughty wish list prompt was not as fully explored here as it was in my mind. (wink, wink) However, it has me thinking along the lines of a very M rated story for the future perhaps? We'll see.
I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday season and will have a fantastic 2018! Meanwhile, let's keep sailing!