Elsie awoke later than normal, but still early. Birds were chattering in the early dawn. Charles snored on, his arms wrapped around her.
Sleep would not return. No matter how much she wanted it.
The price you pay for having children is never sleeping the same way again.
Becky had warned her, she thought ruefully. She turned to look at her husband, smiling at his relaxed expression, his wild hair. Like someone else I know.
Alex was stirring in his room. Yawning, she got up as quietly as she could and slipped on an old t-shirt of Charles's before padding next door.
"Good morning, my wee lad," she smiled, leaning over his crib. His mouth split into a wide grin, showing off the few teeth he owned. Elsie picked him up and blew a raspberry on his belly before cuddling him. "Let's go outside, hmmm?"
She settled into the rocking chair on the back porch, enjoying the sound of Solomon Creek as well as the gentle breeze. Alex fretted and batted his arms. Humming, she shook her head as he began to nurse.
She knew she should start weaning him; he was nine months old already. Her head demanded it. Beryl and the staff had been lovely and accommodating, but it was time. And it would be nice to have her body back. Charles would like that, too…
But her heart begged her for more time. Alex was her boy, her bairn, and once he was weaned she would never have this precious time back.
For several minutes, Charles watched them from the window. Elsie was lost in thought. He finally stretched, got up, and made her tea before joining them on the porch.
"Hello, darling," he rumbled, his stubble scratching her face with his kiss. "You were up early." He set her steaming tea on the table. He kissed Alex lightly, ruffling his hair.
"Thank you," she shrugged, the t-shirt half off her shoulder. "I couldn't go back to sleep. And then I heard him."
It took Charles several seconds to register what she said. It had more to do with how ravishing she looked rather than with sleepiness. "Well," he swallowed, running a hand through his hair, "if you need to rest later today, let me know. Does Beryl need you to come in later?"
"No," she said thankfully. "Breakfast is the busiest time today, then most people will be going home." She looked up at him, a wry grin on your face. "What, you aren't working today? A holiday weekend, and Downton full? For shame, Mr. Carson."
He gave her a smile, which grew when he caught her looking at his bare chest. "It's a perk of being the owner. I don't have to work holidays. Unless I want to."
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The rest of the day went by lazily. Elsie did indulge herself early in the afternoon, taking a short nap.
Alex rubbed his eyes as they ate supper. "I think he's still tired out from yesterday," Charles said.
Elsie laughed. "Poor laddie. So much excitement – the parade, the sparklers, Emily's friends playing with him," she leaned on her hand, watching her son fondly. Charles got him out of the swing and dandled him on his knee, holding him steady.
"He'll be walking soon," he kissed his head. "Brandon and Liza had him walking around the living room, taking turns holding his hands." Elsie's eyes sparkled.
"Are you ready for that?"
He tilted his head, cocking an eyebrow. "Are you?"
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He put Alex to bed, closing the door quietly. Elsie was in the kitchen. She was just finishing the clean-up.
"He was out," Charles said, satisfaction evident in his voice. "Almost from the moment I laid him down. I'll have to thank him later."
"What for?" she asked, confused. She hung up the towel to dry.
"For assisting me in my devious plan." He took her hand and led her out to the back porch. A fire glowed in the chimenea. Above them, the setting sun was hidden behind the mountain. They settled on the wicker couch. Elsie cuddled up to Charles, who finished pouring a glass of wine. He put his arm around her.
For a long time, there was silence between them.
"This is nice," she murmured. "If you had not come up with a plan, I would have."
"Oh?" he turned towards her, setting his empty glass down.
"Yes," she whispered. She leaned closer and gave him a languid kiss. He moaned, his hand trailing down her back. She knelt on the couch, her hands on his chest. "I wanted to have some time…alone with you."
In response, he pulled her onto his lap, her legs wrapped around his torso. Their kisses grew more heated as the sky darkened and the fire burned itself out.
She whispered her need as his lips savored her neck. Getting up, she pulled him with her. He kissed her hands for a moment before he picked her up and carried her to bed.
The radio crackled behind them, forgotten.
Just let me whisper things you've never heard before
Just let me touch you…just let me touch you for a while…
For a time after Alex was born, they had not been intimate. But Charles had been pleasantly surprised when Elsie initiated contact. Although he was gradually becoming more forward, he still let her take the lead most of the time.
He could never get enough of her. She was his wife, his best friend, his perfect mate.
Laughing, she came undone at his touch. It came as something of a surprise to her that the physical side of their relationship was as strong as it had been before. She gasped his name, her fingers in his hair.
"My man, a ghraidh," she breathed, the tempo of their dance quickening. "Yes, Charles, oh-"
From her frantic moans, he knew she wanted more.
Wanted him.
"Oh God, I love you," he cried. "I love you, my Elsie-" He let out a sound halfway between a yell and a sigh, his breath hot against her shoulder.
They danced, touched, loved.
The sun set. A slight breeze stirred the trees outside, rustling the leaves.
The lovers' dance ended.
Talking, their fingers laced together, they marveled at how far they had come.
Both also acknowledged, in whispers and giggles, that it was a good thing their bed did not rest against Alex's bedroom wall. And that their son slept soundly.
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It came as no surprise to either of them when Alex took his first wobbly steps less than two weeks later.
It was a definite surprise when Elsie found out she was pregnant just before their son's first birthday.
It was a complete shock when their twins were born the following April; Christopher Thomas, with a voice to match his father's, and Edward Charles, with hair to match his mother's.
Their family and friends were delighted. Some people in town still whispered when they walked by, though. Beryl was convinced a lot of it was envy hidden by self-righteousness.
"You've both got a beautiful family, your health, and successful careers," she said to Elsie during the twins' first Thanksgiving. "And you and Charlie are happy, and more in love than ever. That's more than most folks can say."
They could not agree more.
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A/N: The song on the radio is by Alison Krauss & Union Station, "Let Me Touch You for Awhile". Personally, I think it's one of the sexiest songs I've ever heard.
There will probably be two more chapters to this…still working out the details. Please review if you have time. Thank you all!