A/N: I'm sorry it took me so long to update this. Thank you so much for all your lovely reviews, they made me so happy!

The snow is falling heavily as Charles makes his way through their front garden. He can see Elsie potter about in the kitchen, her hair is applied differently this evening. Softer. Still so beautiful.

In just that moment, she lifts her head and sees him coming and the little smile he got to know so well over the years appears immediately in her face. Shows him she's still happy to see him. Reminds him how happy he still is to see her. Welcome home, love.

When he opens the door, Sophie comes running down the stairs, throws herself in his arms and kisses him enthusiastically on the cheek. "I'm very happy to see you as well, dear." he says, smiling benignly. My lovely, crazy, precious youngest. And then she is off again, running up the stairs, mumbling something about a book she simply has to show him.

In the kitchen, he finds Elsie setting the table, her moves as sure as always. But he senses that something is wrong nevertheless. Always so attentive to what others feel. Always so withdrawn when you yourself are concerned. What is the matter, Elsie? She looks up and sees the silent question in his eyes, gives him another smile as an answer, slightly forced this time. Please don't ask. I can't.

"Your hair is different. It suits you."

"Does it? Sophie arranged it. We might have raised a future lady's maid."

He smiles at her. You know that you are beautiful to me. She brushes a strand of hair out of her face and goes to the stove. If I could only make it easier for you, love.

The fear is everywhere, like a bland veil that falls over everything and everybody. Fear of hearing nothing. Or worse, fear of hearing something. Please God, don't take away another one of our children. Don't be so cruel.

William has left for France over a year ago. And such a big, blank space had remained. A few words of reassurance since then, I'm fine Mama and Papa, it's tough, but I'm fine. Charles knows so well how she feels. Sees how she reads between the lines, just like he does, how the fear that shines through breaks her heart. Increases her own fear. Pushes the little of hope that is there even further away. So small compared to the fear anyway.

Behind him, something suddenly shatters. He turns around and looks into the face of his wife that, in this moment, shatters with the plate that fell. Her eyes, after turning to the shards, close quickly, her hand moves to her mouth. Make it end. Please, make it all end.

Charles takes her hand, leads her out of the shards and when Elsie opens her eyes again, he sees her silent plea. Tell me he's fine. Help me. Please, help me. And so he does, gathers her in his arms, holds her close. We're in this together, my love. I won't leave you. I'm here.

He includes Sophie in their embrace when he sees her standing in the door, her big eyes looking at him in question. What is this, Papa? She is still so young. So lighthearted, despite what happens around her. Everything will be fine, Sophie. We all will be fine.

He cannot know. But he can hope. And so he does. Hopes for the war to end. Hopes for William to come home. Hopes for her lovely smile he fell in love with all those years ago to come back. Someday. Hopefully soon.

He threw his bag on the floor, didn't bother to close the door and practically ran up the stairs. As he reached the door to their bedroom, he opened it carefully, anxiously awaiting the sight that would meet him on the other side. And it couldn't have been a nicer one.

Elsie sat on their bed, leaned against the pillows, with a small bundle in her arms. A few strands of her hair had found their way out of her braid, her cheeks were slightly flushed and her eyes sparkling beautifully as she looked down on the new life that had found its way to them just a few hours ago.

"Oh Elsie…" was all Charles could say as he made his way to her. She looked up with a bright smile on her face. "Meet your daughter, Mr. Carson."

A little overwhelmed, he sat down next to her and looked into the face of his daughter for the first time. "She's beautiful." he murmured as he reached out a finger to caress her cheek. He felt her tiny hand reach for his finger and closing around it.

"Say hello to your Papa." Elsie said as she leaned her head against Charles shoulder and closed her eyes for a second. In this moment, everything was like it should be.

Feeling Elsie move beside him, Charles tore his gaze away from their little girl, put one arm around his wife and placed a kiss on her hair. "How are you, love?"

Elsie opened her eyes and looked up at him. "I'm fine. Still a bit tired. But I'm glad you're here."

He chuckled. "You cannot imagine the fright you gave me. I have left immediately. And no train ride has ever felt as long as this one." She gave him a loving smile.

"I'm so sorry, Elsie." Charles continued more seriously. "Oh stop it." she answered. "Nobody could know this little lady would be so eager. Besides..."

In this moment, the door flew open and William ran to the bed. "Papa, Papa, you're home! Did you see the baby? It's so small, isn't it? Did you come in a train? Did you bring something for me?"

Both his parents started to laugh as William crawled onto the bed, nearly forgetting to breathe in all the excitement. "Hello Lad." Charles said and drew him into his arms."Did you take good care of Mama while I was away?" William nodded and cuddled closer into the solid form of his Papa.

"As you can see, we are all very happy to have you back, Mr. Carson." Charles kissed his wife softly on the lips. "You cannot imagine how happy I am to be back, Mrs. Carson." he answered, smiling all over.

"Did you think of a name for her yet, love?" he asked then and looked at his daughter again, who was sleeping soundly. "What do you think of Alice?" Elsie said, her expression reflecting all the love she felt for their little one. Charles knew how much her Grandmother had meant to Elsie and as he saw her expression in this moment, he knew that no other name could be more perfect.

"Welcome to the family, Alice." he said, took her carefully from her mother's arms and placed a soft kiss on her forehead.

Everything is quiet when Elsie finally lies down. She takes the hand that reaches for her, feels her husband kissing her good-night. She knows how this bloody war affects him. Sees how he gets more frustrated every day. Things cannot be done the way they used to be done anymore. I'm so sorry about that, love.

She moves closer to him, he welcomes her in his arms. We will always be together in this. It's all they can do. Comfort each other. And wait. You make all this easier. Thank you.

Reviews are, as always, very welcome. :)