Sunday, December 26th, Z = Zany!
"Charlie…" Elsie muttered, eyes heavy, body embraced by a cocoon of warmth. She wiggled her leg a little; felt like she couldn't lift a finger. "Charlie…" She said again.
He snored beside her.
She moved her left leg, felt something shift and follow.
"Charles," she said louder, hearing him snort and move, the sheets tugging.
He grumbled, voice laden with sleep, "Whatever is it?"
"He's on my feet."
He turned onto his side, facing her but muttering into his pillow, "He's not allowed on the bed."
"Nor upstairs. But it doesn't appear to have stopped him."
He yawned, "Be fine."
"He's not on your legs."
"Move him."
"He's too heavy, and I'm asleep."
He opened one eye and looked to her sleepy face and then down the bed to where the puppy perched.
"Cocoa," Charles said, wiggling the bedding, "Cocoa, up off there."
The puppy stood, eyes wide and ears alert as he padded up over Elsie's body and onto her stomach.
"Ohhh, goodness." She held her hands up and the puppy licked them affectionately.
"Look at this," Charles said, rubbing the dog's head and receiving a lick to his palm. "He already loves us."
"Well I would think so, nice warm bed he's got himself into."
Cocoa stepped off Elsie's body and into the space between them, laying down and looking up at them.
"He needs a bed," Elsie said.
"I'll get him one, perhaps for now he could have it in here rather than downstairs. It's cold, winter, he could have it by the fire over there."
"Softie," Elsie yawned, "it feels frosty," she tugged the covers back over her shoulder. "And he'll need the bathroom soon I wouldn't wonder."
"That's true, wouldn't want anything on the floor." He reluctantly pushed the sheets back and got to his feet, groaning as he stretched his back. Cocoa pushed himself up and waddled to the edge of the bed, standing to attention as Charles put his robe on.
"See, he already knows his master." Elsie said.
"He's smart."
"It's the voice, the deep voice holds his attention… it got mine."
He smiled at that, at the mischief in her voice, the hint of a smile.
"Won't be long," he said gently. "Will need to start training him."
It had snowed in the night, and as he stood there, in the brisk crisp air, Cocoa sniffed around his new garden, his tail wagging as he plodded through the snow.
"Aren't your paws cold?" Charles asked, and the puppy's ears lifted at the sound of his voice. "My toes are, come along, do whatever it is you need to do so we can get back to the warm."
He glanced up to the sky, heavy with grey and the threat of further snow. "Looks like we won't be walking far today. But we will, soon enough. I'll take you over the back fields and up to the woods, you'll like it there, especially in the summer then you can splash in the stream." He looked down to the puppy's face as he sat by Charles' feet and gazed up at him. "No mud in the house though mind. Not sure Mrs. Carson will appreciate it." He clapped his hands together, "Come on now, back inside."
In the kitchen, he poured a little of the dry dog food into the bowl Elsie had laid down the night before, watching as the pup eagerly chomped his way through it.
"Maybe something better for dinner, maybe there is meat once we eat. That would be good. Or bacon, if we're good –" he bent to rub the dog's ears. "–maybe Elsie will make bacon for breakfast. Not too much though, hey, don't want to get a paunch."
He made a pot of tea, waited until the dog had finished eating before he poured it. Opened the curtains in the lounge, let the white light into the room. Cocoa found his way onto the sofa, circling a little before he plopped down and rested his head on his paws.
"Exhausted, are we?" Charles shook his head as he climbed the stairs back to their bedroom.
Elsie was laying back, her eyes closed though she was propped up on the pillows. He set their tea cups down on the bedside table, close enough to see the trace of tear stains on her cheeks.
"Elsie?" he asked, a hand reaching to touch her shoulder. "Whatever…" He had never been comfortable with extravagant shows of emotion, though things were changing, had changed, and he felt a stab in his stomach at the thought that she might be sad.
"It's alright," she said gently, reaching to touch his hand. "I was just listening to you down there…" she breathed deeply, slowly opening her eyes. "It made me happy. That is all."
"Ah," he felt somewhat sheepish at being exposed, but then, he was laid bare to her nowadays.
She touched his hand reassuringly, "Don't worry Charlie, women can be confusing beings. Thank you for the tea." She tilted her head and smiled, "And yes, I will make bacon for breakfast. Just… not quite yet."
He took the hint and removed his robe, climbing back into bed beside her.
They sat side-by-side sipping their tea, listening to the waking morning.
"I enjoy this," she said gently, "our home, being warm and content in here, no rush or fuss."
"I suppose it had to come one day. And, we do deserve it."
She glanced at him, "I've never heard you say anything of the sort before."
"I have never been retired before," he finished his tea. "Nor had a wife, never mind a puppy."
She chuckled at that, putting her tea cup aside and laying down again.
"Do you want to explain to me what happened yesterday? Why you had the afternoon off?"
"Yes. I will."
"Are you retired, now?"
She shook her head in the negative. "I am thinking about it, still undecided."
"And her ladyship…"
"Gave me the day off. Or days, I should say. She thought I looked tired."
He turned sharply to her, "Are you quite well?"
"I am, my darling," she placed her hand over his on top of the bedsheets. "It has been a rather busy month is all, and what with you… well, it all made me think, about the time we have left and what we do with it." She lifted his hand into hers, "So with that in mind, her ladyship and I have decided I will become more of a part time member of staff."
"Oh? You're not going to leave your position?"
"Not yet. I will do it the majority of the time, during my two days off Anna will take the helm. Train up, if you like, it should balance nicely with the children. By the time I completely disappear, or drop down dead, she should be able to run things – the children at school."
"This is all sounds very thought out."
She pressed against his side, "I never meant to leave you out of the discussion, I just didn't want you to worry you, you had such a lot going on. Truth be told I wasn't going to do anything until after New Year, when things calmed down. But then, well, her ladyship and I met to discuss a couple of things for New Year's Eve and it just went down a certain path."
"Oh," he settled back against his pillows, feeling her lying beside him. "I would rather enjoy two full days with you."
"And I you. Time for the cottage too, I never seem to have time here. And with the pup now –,"
"We can walk him together," he said eagerly.
"We can. Though I'll prefer it when spring comes."
They lay in silence for a moment, holding hands, listening to the crack of ice on the window panes. Her head rested on his arm at first, and then she slipped a little further down, her cheek resting against his chest, the soft fragrance of his pyjamas comforting as she closed her eyes. His fingers, which had been pressed against her upper arm, moved to her shoulder and with his eyes closed also he stroked her hair. The end of her plait slipped through his palm, he caught it against his thumb and forefinger and loosened the band that held it in place.
The long strands fell apart as he moved his hand along it, filling his palm with silky warmth. His fingers slid up to her scalp, and she moaned lightly at his touch as he massaged it.
In time he grew brave enough to move her back against the pillows, leaning over her body as he kissed her, eyes closed, content and without a care or rush.
He moved his hand down over her belly, tugging at her nightgown in a familiar move. She sat slightly to help him, lifting the material over her head, laying back down as his mouth crushed against hers – hungry and yet gentle with it.
"My love," he whispered, moving to kiss her breasts.
Her eyes closed, she liked it when he did this, touched her gently, took his time – he was getting so good at it, especially his mouth on her neck. Sweet kisses, like he adored her – no, because he did adore her. Her husband. This man who was her best friend, and now her lover.
She reached to his hand that cupped her breast, pushed on it, sending it down to her belly, he continued to adorn her skin with kisses, and she thought how cool the air was around them, how hot their bodies were in contrast. She nudged his fingers down further, recalling her teenage years on the farm, when she first discovered what it was to feel pleasure and desire. To know her own body. She couldn't do that in service, when sharing a room.
"Elsie," he said again, and then his tongue flicked over her nipple and she groaned, parting her legs, pushing his hand eagerly down to touch her.
He was tentative but not shy, not anymore, and the deeper her breathing got, the more she moaned, the more he seemed to relish it. He pressed his thumb, moved it until she moaned louder, alternated pressure, committed to memory what she liked best.
Elsie felt wanton, and powerful because of it. She could feel the results of Charles' desire pressed against her hip, but she was in no rush. They had the entire day to enjoy each other. Making love on Boxing Day for the first time in her entire life.
"Oh, the bliss of it." She murmured.
"Heavenly," he said, before his mouth found hers again.
Elsie watched as the puppy's nose ploughed through the snow, sniffing and then lifting his head and sneezing on the ice particles.
"Silly little thing," she said, "you are rather cute though." She bent down, holding out her hand, and the pup darted towards her yapping as she rubbed at his back. "You shouldn't breathe in the snow though, no," she looked down into his large eyes, "no, you shouldn't."
She got back to her feet, watching as the excitable dog leaped across the garden, momentarily disappearing into the snow and then re-emerging.
Charles came out of the shed with an armful of logs, grinning like a child when their eyes met. She pursed her lips as she smiled, trying to suppress the joy in her heart. His cheeks were red, his eyes bright, and she thought how healthy he looked.
"You'll catch cold," he said, "go on in."
"I have my beautiful scarf," she said, showing it off.
"A gift for my beautiful wife," he paused, leaning in to quickly kiss her.
She followed him in, the puppy chasing after them when he feared he'd be left alone.
"You know, we'll probably never be alone again," Elsie said as Charles made the fire in the lounge and Cocoa sat beside him watching. "I sense he will always be by your side."
"I always did like the idea of a son," Charles admitted.
"Oh…" Elsie paused in her preparation of dinner, "you've never said that before."
He sat back, leaving the fire alone as it slowly came to life, bringing warmth into the room. "I have never admitted it to myself. The things we gave up…" he sighed heavily, and then turned, still kneeling on the carpet. "If it weren't for you."
She held his gaze, tilting her head to one side and smiling, "I'll always be here." She held her hand out, "Merry Christmas, Charlie."
"Merry Christmas, the best one I have ever known."
Cocoa yapped, a tiny tinny sound from his small lungs.
"We haven't forgotten you," Elsie said, rubbing his ears with one hand, "I'll put the bacon on, make breakfast. You think he'll accompany you to the hospital?"
"I haven't accepted the position yet."
"But you will. And besides the children will love to play with him."
"I suppose they might."
"You're a good man Charles Carson, it's about time the rest of the world realised what I already know."
"And that is?"
"How lucky we are to have you in our lives."