A/N: First of all, thank you so much for your lovely, thoughtful reviews. It makes me so happy to know you still enjoy this little piece.

Elsie hears their happy chatter as she takes the laundry down from the clothes line. She smiles at them when they reach the gate, looks at Sophie with her hair all messed up and her dress full of mud. Chuckles. Oh, precious, what happened to you?

William, his sleeves rolled up and with a smirk on his face, holds Sophie's hand and practically drags her into the garden. Sometimes, Elsie wonders how fast the years can go by. Her eldest has his own life now, at the stables of the Abbey, with his friends, his work and the lovely young woman he seems to spend a lot of time with lately. My little boy, all grown-up. And so good at it.

In this moment, she cannot help but see her third child coming through the gate as well. Her little girl with unruly hair and big brown eyes. And the loveliest smile. Elsie sees her older now, with long, brown curls, imagines how she takes Sophie's other hand, laughs with her siblings. Allie. My baby.

Her thoughts are interrupted by Sophie's voice, calling for her, and Elsie sees her running towards her. She kneels down and opens her arms, feels how her daughter lets herself fall into them. I've got you, sweet, I've got you.

She has done this so many times, with all of her little ones. She can still see the face of each when they come running. Laughing, crying. Huffy or genuinely happy. And now, as she holds Sophie tight, listens to her telling about her adventures at the stream, her eyes close for a moment and the picture of her middle one flashes before her. I've still got you too, Alice.

„Oh, Papa! Papa, look!" William stood in the stream, his trousers turned up but wet nevertheless and pointed at the water with a look of sheer amazement on his face.

Charles grabbed Alice who toddled around the rug Elsie was sitting on and threw her in the air. He was rewarded with a fit of giggles from his keen two year old daughter. "What is it, son?" he asked while making his way to the stream.

"The fishes Papa, so many! Look!" And indeed, a whole school of fishes was swimming around his little feet, excitedly observed by his curious eyes.

Elsie couldn't help but laugh out loud at the scene in front of her. There it was, her wonderful little family, enjoying a lovely Saturday afternoon together, a chance they didn't get too often. Charles turned his head and looked at her, his expression showing her all the love and appreciation he felt for her, their children. She just adored him.

He put Alice down, whispered something into her ear and rolled up his sleeves and trousers, ready to join William in the water. Alice made her way back to her Mama, picking up grass on the way and was welcomed into the open arms of Elsie. "Now, little one, what are we going to do with all that grass?" she asked and pressed a kiss on Alice's forehead.

Alice looked up at her and pointed to the stream, mumbling something. "What, do you want to join them, love?" Alice nodded, exclaimed: "Yes, Mama." and toddled away. Elsie got rid of her shoes and took her daughter's hand.

Charles, who was busy with splashing water all over William, was surprised a little later when he felt water splashing all over his back. He turned around and saw his wife sitting at the brim of the stream, her feet in the clear water, their daughter on her lap, both laughing about their little game. An image to preserve, he thought. Elsie's hair which was glimmering in the sunshine, Alice's little feet that tried to reach the water. His women. His beautiful, lovely girls.

Later, after dinner, Elsie comes up the stairs, the folded laundry in her arms. She can hear William cheering his little sister on. "Put your legs higher, Soph, come on. And faster now, that's it." Sophie's giggles follow. When Elsie reaches the door, she can see them both lying on the floor, riding imaginary bicycles. So you love it too, precious.

She smiles as her eyes get flooded with tears. It happens sometimes. You loved that so much, Allie. So much.

William grabs Sophie then, starts to tickle her and, while doing so, looks up to his mother. When their eyes meet, a single tear finds her way down Elsie's cheek. William gets up and comes over to her, takes her hand and smiles down at her before hugging her tightly. It's alright Mama. I miss doing it with her, too.

Elsie returns the embrace, presses her face into his shoulder for a moment. When they let go of each other, her hand cups his cheek and it is her turn to smile up at him. I'm so proud of you.

"You're not serious?" Elsie stood in their bedroom, the fresh sheets in her hands and looked at him in disbelief. "I'm sorry, Elsie, but there is nothing I can do about it."

Charles saw how she bit her lip, not a good sign. "Nothing to be done about it. I see." Her expression showed feigned indifference. She put the sheets down on the dresser and walked to the bed.

Knowing that he couldn't leave it at that, Charles went after her and put his hands on her shoulders. "I'm sorry, love." She whirled around, all acted composure forgotten. "I'm sorry too, Charles." Her voice grew louder. "I'm sorry to tell our daughter that her father sadly won't make it for her birthday, that he's not only working but that he will spend the weekend in London."

She threw an angry look at him. "Do you know how much she was talking about it in the last few weeks? After you promised to spend her whole birthday with her? Because that is what you did, Charles. You promised it and she hasn't been talking about anything else than her bloody birthday which will be spent with Papa at the ruins. God, she's even chosen the book you have to read to her!"

Elsie turned to grab the sheets and threw them on the bed. Charles knew she had a right to be angry. But still, this wasn't completely fair on him. There were things nobody could do anything about.

"Elsie, there is…" he started but she didn't let him finish. "Leave me alone, Charles." He saw how she grabbed a pillow and threw it to the other end of the bed.

When he calmly said her name, she turned to him, looking radiant in her anger. "For God's sake Charles, leave me be! Go downstairs and read to Sophie now or do whatever you want to do. I don't bloody care. Just get out of my way."

Charles gently captured a strand of her hair and tucked it behind her ear, kissed her softly on the temple and told her that he loved her before going out of the room. He knew he had to give her a bit of time. She would be ready to discuss it. As soon as the Scottish in her would have calmed down a bit.

Quietly, he went outside and saw Sophie running after a butterfly. Charles joined in on the little race, much to the delight of his youngest. Upstairs, Elsie could see them running around and her anger gave way to disappointment. This wasn't fair on any of them.

When Charles opens the front door, he notices that there's still light in the parlour. He gets rid of his shoes and tiptoes silently to the door, opens it carefully and is met by the sight of his sleeping wife. Her hair is already down for the night, the book she read lies on her lap. I don't deserve such beauty.

He smiles sadly when he realizes that Elsie's fingers are clasped around the little locket she wears around her neck. So it has been one of those days. He goes to her, softly loosens the locket from her hand and kisses it. Sleep tight, Allie.

Then he takes the book, places it on the little table, next to the cup of tea Elsie hasn't finished. When he reaches for her and picks her up, she stirs slightly.

"Shh, love." he says. I've got you. Always.

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