A/N: This chapter has been rather difficult to write, I hope I got it right in the end. Thanks a million for your reviews, I'm so happy you still like this.

They sit next to each other under the big oak on the hill. The branches and leaves catch the shafts of sunlight, the summer breeze plays with her hair.

Elsie still brings him here now and then. It should break her heart to see him looking down at the Abbey in amazement. But it doesn't. Not really. For we still sit on that bench together.

"This is a beautiful estate, Miss Hughes, isn't it?" He smiles at her, almost childlike, like a boy fascinated by a railway locomotive that is passing by. And she knows that she has made him happy with their little walk. That is all I wanted.

Charles gaze wanders to the Abbey again and she likes this side of him, the fascinated one, the one that explores and learns. She never got to see much of that in their time together.

And to know that he still loves Downton, in a different way now, without all the memories but nevertheless, warms her heart. This has always been yours.

Sometimes, she catches him looking at her, sees how his eyes light up, wonders then if maybe, now and then, he remembers her or a glimpse of their life. He never says anything, never gives any indication that he does. But still.

Every morning, when she tiptoes out of their room before he wakes up, she thinks of the last note he has written to her. Do never forget that I love you. It is what keeps her going.

She cannot give up staying with him during the night. They tell her one day it will frighten him, want to spare her the agony of yet another blow. But as long as she can reach out for his hand at night, can feel how he takes it, and if it is only instinctively or comes from years of habit, she can't. She has learned to be content with the little things. You're still with me. You are still here. And she knows it is what he would want as well, if he could.

They're still a family. Only now, it's Sophie who reads to Charles & it's Gracie who shows him how to do paper planes. Elsie knows it hurts them. Feels it when William comes in with John on his arm, knowing his father will never realize the little boy he's seeing is his grandson. Feels it when Sophie comes into the kitchen after a few pages, tears in her eyes, telling her Mr. Carson would like to have a cup of tea. But she is so proud of them. And she is aware of the fact that he has told them as well, sometime before. Never forget that I love you.

Elsie hears Charles moving beside her. He bends down, picks something up from the grass. She sees him blushing a bit as he straightens up, a little daisy in his hand.

"Thank you for bringing me here, Miss." She feels tears swelling in her eyes, cannot give him anything but a small smile and the acceptance of his sincere gift as an answer. I love you so much, Mr. Carson.

In those moments, the hurt mingles with the knowledge that they will be alright. That she will be alright. You can still give me so much.

He heard the train before he saw it. The platform was full of people and that compound feeling of parting and welcome they radiated was felt by him as something special and precious on that day. As the train came in, a smile settled on his face and his eyes wandered to the third class compartments. Soon she would finally be here.

As Elsie realized that the train came to a halt, she grabbed her handbag and case, checked her looks one final time in the window and made her way to the doorway. She tried to find him on the crowded platform and didn't succeed. But she knew he would be there just as he had promised in his last letter.The nervousness of the last days was gone, curiosity and the strangest feeling of being utterly happy about seeing him again had replaced it.

Elsie had only just stepped out of the train as she heard him calling out for her. His voice sounded a little nervous, yet she felt nobody else could say her name as nice as he did. When she turned around and they looked at each other, both realized in the same moment that nothing had changed, that the distance and the letters hadn't created an illusion but had strengthened this strange feeling that might be love and couldn't be anything else at the same time.

Charles walked towards her, took her suitcase and her hand. Not a word was spoken as they made their way through the crowd, nor while they walked hand in hand through the little village. Elsie could see Mrs. Kober waving at them with a knowing smile on her face, felt how Charles gave her hand a little squeeze.

When they reached the little path that would bring them to her aunt's farm, he dropped her case, brought her face closer to his own and kissed her, shy at the beginning, bolder when he felt her smiling against his lips. This was all so new to them. But they both knew it was exactly what they wanted.

They let go of each other after a few moments, both smiling heavily. "Welcome to Yorkshire, Miss soon to be Mrs. Carson."

Elsie couldn't help but laugh out loud, the thought still seemed so surreal. And so wonderful.

How he loved her laughter. What a beautiful bride she would be. Only a few weeks more, only some more preparations to be made for their new home, their life together.

Elsie looks at some birds nearby. A few more minutes of quiet nearness pass.

"Shall we go back, Mr. Carson?" He gives her a pleasant smile and nods. Thank you for being kind to me.

She takes him by the hand and stands up. He allows her to keep his hand in hers as they walk. Allows her a short moment of peace. It's a memory coming back to life again. You might not know my name anymore. But you're still my man.

Reviews are more than welcome, I'd love to hear what you think. :)