I hope you're still enjoying this, I find the only way I can write it is when I listen to sad music so I've been depressing myself for this :p Once again this is all Reidsfact's fault! Flashback chapter. AN: Elsie is 42, Isobel is 40 :) Enjoy

She felt the cold metal in her hand, she clenched her fists in and attempt to wake herself up. She felt very numb. She couldn't open her eyes, it felt like too much effort, so she just lay there thinking of how Charles had been there, he'd told her not to leave him, why would she leave him, where was she going, she felt so confused. Why had he been crying? Was he hurt? But then, she couldn't work out why she'd been asleep, why could she hear beeping and who was Nurse Crawley? Was it a dream? Something odd was going on. But it was the crash of a metal trolley outside that caused the memories to come flooding back.

She sighed as she sat in the car and closed the door. She hated to leave him and felt guilty as he'd taken the day off to spend it with her. She knew the only way she could get through this meeting would be to imagine being with Charles when she got home. She remembered last night, she had to admit that she had seduced him, but he hadn't complained. She blushed and smiled to herself, she checked her make up in the mirror before turning on the engine.

They were meeting at their favourite coffee shop, it was exactly between the office and their houses. Isobel lived east of Elsie, similarly on the outskirts of London, but their office was in London so they regularly met at the coffee shop instead. As she approached she saw Isobel sitting outside typing something into her blackberry. Elsie couldn't help but notice that she appeared to have gained weight, she didn't like to think that but it certainly looked like it. Isobel looked up and smiled.

"El!" she waved frantically and stood up. She was wearing a floral peasant blouse and leggings. Elsie was surprised that she looked so casual for a business meeting.

"Hiya, you look nice" she hugged her friend and sat opposite her.

"Oh thank you, I would have worn my suit but... I was hoping to tell you this later but, Im pregnant!"

Elsie's eyes widened, "you are?"

"Yep, doctor confirmed it yesterday. Reginald and I wanted you and Charles to be the first to know"

"So why tell me here?"

"Because men don't have the same reaction, Reg is excited of course but it's not going to have the same effect as it might on you."

"Well that's wonderful, I'm very happy for you both."

Isobel smiled and subconsciously laid her hand over her stomach and smiled down.

"Anyway this isn't an entirely social meeting, I'll be leaving the office in 2 or 3 months and while I'm away I'll need you to cover for me, you'll get a raise, if I choose not to return you'll get the job permanently."

"Permanently?"

"I'm sure you're more than capable" seeing Elsie's surprised face "I know you're more than capable."

"But that's your job, I shouldn't have It, it's yours!"

"Elsie I can't bring my child to work with me, you'll be in the job for just over a year then I'll decide if I return" she raised her eyebrows and Elsie knew there was no point in arguing.

"How far gone are you?"

"Just under 5 months"

"What? And You hadn't noticed?"

"No, I thought I was just gaining weight"

"In one place? You didnt notice the fact you were being sick or that parts of you were getting a bit bigger?" She raised her eyebrows as she looked over her cup.

"Well I didnt mind, but the sickness was rare so i didnt notice, the doctor said that some women arent sick as much, it's one reason they dont notice. But it means I have less waiting time - knowing im pregnant that is"

"Is that a good thing?"

"Well, maybe not in all cases. I'm going for my scan today, hopefully find out the gender. You'll be godmother wont you?"

Elsie choked on her coffee at the sudden change of subject.

"Sorry, I shouldn't have sprung that on you so quickly"

"No no it's fine, of course I will Iz, Im honoured"

"Oh c'mon El, you're my best friend, who else would I have chosen? Anyway it had to be someone who was married to someone i'd want to be godfather and Charles is perfectly capable im sure"

"Are you going to tell him or shall I?"

"I'll let Reg do that, he wants an excuse to go and play golf with Charles. Thought we could go shopping when they do"

Elsie giggled and Isobel eyed her suspiciously,

"What?"

"Nothing, just, you'll have to buy maternity clothes now"

"Oh shut up El!" She kicked her under the table. Isobel had always been very tall and thin, the kind of supermodel figure girls longed for, whereas Elsie was shorter but had perfect curves. They were opposites in a way but both equally beautiful. Elsie always joked about Isobel trying to keep her figure perfect and how she hated gaining weight, now she'd have no control.

They finished their coffees, discussing baby plans before Isobel had to leave for her doctor's appointment. Elsie checked her watch, 10 o'clock, she'd be back at about 11. She started her car and drove off.

She concentrated on driving for a while before turning in her cd player, it was a cd that Charles had made for her, it consisted of all their favourite songs and the ones that described their relationship. She played it more than any other cd she owned, it was such a sweet gesture. She had given him a cd as well but it consisted of more romantic songs that they liked to listen to when they were intimate together. She smiled to herself again; she couldn't believe how lucky she was to have someone like Charles. She couldn't imagine life without him and didn't want to either. She was totally dependent on him and loved him more than anything. Their wedding vows had been till death do us part but neither of them wanted to have to live without the other, they were determined to die together when the time came.

She swayed gently to the music and whispered the lyrics under her breath, sometimes her love would be enough to make her cry, she loved him so much she would often just cling to him, as if scared he would disappear. They'd met in university and she'd certainly fallen for him the first time she saw him, he was lovely but shy and was so glad that he'd plucked up the courage to tell her how he felt too. They'd been in the library and she'd been unable to reach a book on the top shelf, he'd come along and without effort got it down for her. They had stood both holding the book, looking straight into each others eyes, those eyes that were full of mystery, he'd taken the book and laid it on a lower shelf, before pulling her into his arms and kissed her. It had been so romantic. As much as she longed to be younger again, as she'd been then, she wouldnt change what she had now for it. Sure, those student days had been fun, there had been days when all they did was make love all day, they would discuss having a family when they were married, all that had been fun but now they were older and life had changed them, deciding to choose work over a family, they were happy to have each other.
Sometimes she did miss not having a child but she didnt want to dwell on what she didnt have, unfortunatly she wasnt going to escape conversations about children now.
Just as she thought this a text message popped up on her phone, she had it on hands free and pushed the button to read it,

Izzie;
Going to be a girl :D Had brainwave, call it Chelsie, after her godparents - Charles + Elsie ;)

She smiled, well maybe having a goddaughter that she saw regularly would fill any need she had of a child. Thinking about it, the child would probably surpass her in height by the time she was 12, 'wonderful' she thought.

She hadnt noticed the swerving car on the other side of the road, she hadnt noticed it coming towards her until seconds before the bumper hit her door. All she could hear were the screams from passers by and the sound of smashing glass as she felt the car go over.

All of a sudden there was no more sound - it was just black.

Please please review, I really want to know what you think.