The moonlight was illuminating the small bedroom. Charles was awake for a while now, staring at the figure of the woman he loved, sleeping next to him, with her head laying peacefully on his arm. Charles wrapped the ends of her hair that were laying across him around his fingers, playing with her soft curls. His senses were filled with Elsie; the smell of her hair, the feel of her warm body next to his. His thoughts were focused on his life. All the years on stage and his years in service, all of it has led him to this moment in his life. His feelings for Elsie were so strong he was wondering how he was going to be able to get on with the rest of his day, how was he going to live the rest of his life. He couldn't imagine a life without Elsie.
He didn't want daylight to come, it would mean they would have to leave each other and be the butler and housekeeper again and he didn't believe he could hide his feelings any longer for Elsie from everyone. He just didn't want to hide them any more. He was always afraid to allow himself to fall for Elsie like this for fear of never being able to go back to the way things were if she didn't feel the same way.

He brought the curls up to his mouth and ran the soft hair over his lips and smiled while he thought of her saying she loved him. Elsie began to stir and speak in her sleep..she shook her head back and forth slowly at first... He couldn't make out the words she was trying to say. It was obvious she was distraught. Elsie was having a bad dream it seemed. She was saying "no" over and over again. Charles shook Elsie gently.

" Elsie wake up, you're dreaming... it's alright. Everything is alright." She slowly opened her eyes and her breathing was labored. It hurt him to see her unsettled like this.

"Shhh...it's ok...I'm here now...You don't have to be afraid Elsie...no one is trying to hurt you."

Elsie slowly sat up in bed and reached in the dark for Charles. She calmed as soon as her hands felt Charles' warm body next to hers. Her chest stopped heaving and she was becoming less agitated.

"Charles...I'm sorry...did I wake you?" Elsie asked between deep breaths as she tried to shake the sleepiness she still felt.

The moonlight was shining into the room allowing Elsie to see the worried expression on Charles' face.

Charles knew what was haunting Elsie's dreams. He feared that this nightmare was just only beginning. He prayed could convince Anna to go to the authorities and Green would get the punishment he deserved.

"No love, I was awake. I was getting ready to start my day before the house begins to stir with the first risers." Charles sat up and placed a soft kiss to her temple and held her hand tightly. "It wouldn't be wise for anyone to discover or suspect I was here with you...but if I could be honest I wouldn't care...I just don't know now how I'm supposed to go on and hide my feelings for you any longer." Charles took a long pause and watched Elsie's expression change from worry to happiness... "I love you Elsie and I want to be able to be free to show you and tell you with out hiding it anymore."

Elsie turned to Charles and cupped his cheek with her hand bringing her lips to his and she kissed him so tenderly. "Oh Charles..." She whispered as she pulled herself away from the kiss. "Have you really thought about what us being together and public really means for you?"

"Elsie, you do feel the same don't you? I could feel you meant what you said to me last night... I have thought about this longer than you know of."

"You understand the house is going to be the topic of gossip once again if Anna goes to the authorities...how do you think the family would deal with their housekeeper and Butler being lovers? We will be sacked for sure." Elsie was worried.

"I don't care Elsie...I want to be with you and I don't care at what expense. I just know that I would give anything if you would be my wife. I don't even know how I've survived this long without you like this."

Elsie had only ever dreamed of hearing those words from him.

"Your wife? Charles...I...is this really happening?" Elsie was so surprised. "I must be dreaming." Elsie whispered breathlessly.

"Elsie you are not dreaming but if you say yes... it would be my dream come true..." The room was silent and Charles could hear Elsie swallow hard. She was fighting back her tears.

"Yes...yes...Charles...I will.

******************************CE****************************

Charles made his way to his office with thoughts of Elsie dancing in his head. He was still coming to grips with what had developed in a few short weeks. Entering his office he glanced around and his thoughts focused on how much of his life was Downton. So much that is good in his life is because of Downton. This home, the Crawley's and Mrs. Hughes. The story of his life was written in these walls...and if walls could talk they would tell a grand story with what he hoped would have a happy ending.

Mrs. Hughes made her way downstairs she could feel her emotions spring from her heart to her stomach...that dipping feeling of love, excitement, and fear of the unknown tickling her insides. She went directly to her office and knew it was going to be impossible to focus on much of anything today. She had to though, it wouldn't do well to have her work suffer due to the earlier events of the day distracting her. She had told Charles she would marry him. There was so much to consider though. She didn't doubt his love for her nor did she regret her actions. She worried about Charles and what leaving Downton would mean for them both. Particularly with what had happened to Anna. Her thoughts turned to Anna and Mr. Bates.

A knock at his door brought him out of his thoughts and he turned around to see Mr. Bates and Anna standing at his door. They looked exhausted. It was obvious they had an emotional night. Anna spoke quietly...

"Mr. Carson might we have a word with you and Mrs. Hughes before the bells ring?" Anna asked eagerly.

Charles retrieved Elsie from her office.

"Have you informed Mr. Carson about what had happened during the concert?" Mr. Bates asked Mrs. Hughes while he held his wife's hand tightly, he couldn't make eye contact with Mrs. Hughes. He was desperately trying to contain his emotions. Only wanting to protect Anna and hide his anger from her, from anyone.

"Yes, Mr. Bates...I had to. Once Mr. Carson saw what had happened to me...I needed to explain. I haven't explained to the family yet but I wasn't going to tell them about Anna. I promised I would keep her secret". Elsie turned her face away and began wringing her hands. She was a strong woman but it was difficult to contain her anger and frustration and sadness that these events had stirred within her.

"We thought it best that I press charges, we are aware that this may upset the family for fear of gossip falling upon the house again but it's what I have to do. I need to move on from this." Anna was surprisingly calm and collected.

They discussed that Anna was going to speak to the family first and then go to the authorities. She wanted so desperately to put this behind her. She no longer could handle this black cloud hovering over her and she worried if she didn't do something fast that Mr. Bates would risk their happiness to seek his revenge.

Mr. Carson and Mrs. Hughes agreed to attend this meeting. Mrs. Hughes still had to explain the series of events that took place at Cotswold and tell her story yet another time to the Crawley's. At least Charles would be there with her.

I'm terribly sorry for taking so long to update. I have terrible writers block and I've been stuck. It's like...it's like...Well...My brain is constipated! Hahahahahahahahah! Sorry...just trying to get you to chuckle. For those of you still reading and following I want to say I greatly appreciate it *fist bumps* all around. Please let me know what you think reviews do help and keep me motivated to try. Oh...and I pray the photos of Chelsie on the beach are not bogus! And if you haven't read it already I suggest you go read "The Beach" by GeordieLass...I think Fellowes is stealing her stuff ;-). You will love her story, all her stories are terrific. Alright...leave me note tell me how crappy you think this is. Peace!