DOUBLE ANNIVERSARY-8

Hello dear people. Nice to be with you again after a long break. I've been very busy recently and had to put away all my writing plans and I have a lot of writing plans. But first things first. Today's chapter will sadly be the last one in this story. All the good things come to an end and we have just got to that place. Hope that you will like the ending.

It was difficult to believe, that their anniversary trip has come to an end. It was truly a happy time for all of them. Charles felt, that it would be the biggest mistake in his life, if he wouldn't agree to come here with Elsie and the Granthams. His prior reservations were all gone now, once he found out, that Lord and Lady Grantham indeed treated them as equals and sometimes even Charles managed to forgot, that he was a servant.

Elsie was simply blossoming during this trip. This was first, real vacations in her life (not counting a very short honeymoon trip) and she was enjoying every minute of it. This exquisite place, full of sun, great food, nice people and hot, lazy days, made her dream about doing it once more in the future, especially now, once she and Charles were both happily retired.

Robert was astound, that the trip that he was initially not very keen on, has turned out to be quite a success. He really felt wonderful in the presence of the Carsons. It was amazing, that he has found out so many new things about both of them, things that he wasn't aware of before, things that he has discovered during this trip. He surprised Cora, telling her, that he actually considers taking the Carsons with them next year, even if all the other members of the family will come to.

Cora was very pleased about how things have turned out for everyone. This trip was exactly how she wanted it to be-fun, relaxing, full of touching moments with Robert, but also a great opportunity, to get to know the Carsons better. She always liked and respected both of them, but she didn't truly know, what are they like and now she has managed to be a little closer to discovering their personalities.

It was the last night of their mutual trip and they once more decided to eat dinner together. The meal was delicious, the wine was excellent and once they took advantage of all the dinner benefits, they were taking a trip down the memory lane again...

"So that maid who barged into our lunch was having an affair with Major Bryant in our house and of course I was the last one to know that"- Robert managed to put two pieces together "And you Mrs Hughes knew about it all along..."

"That was exactly the reason why I sacked her at once...Such person could not have been the part of Downton.."-Elsie felt a little nostalgic..Those war days seemed so far away...

"My Lord, if anything improper was happening at Downton, you can be sure, that my wife would find out first...She was always the one who knew it all..."-Charles smiled warmly to Elsie and she responded with the same smile, but soon after that, she exchanged looks with Robert and noticed how embarrassed he was...He knew, that Elsie was aware of the thing that happened between him and Jane, but Elsie's reassuring look calmed Robert down as he knew that she will never tell that to anyone...

"Yes, Mrs Hughes always knows what's going on...We were lucky to have you as our housekeeper all those years, without you we would be truly lost..."-Cora smiled with appreciation, looking at Elsie, who started to blush a bit, being complimented in that way...

"It was a real pleasure to work at Downton...Not many servants can say that, but you Lord and Lady Grantham were the best employers that we could wish for..."-Elsie decided to praise the Granthams...

"Well, that is a really nice capstone of this evening and of this trip...I can say, that there could be only one better thing, what do you say, if we turn on the gramophone and do a little dancing?"- Robert was in a great mood and he was willing to keep that mood...

"Robert, you are turning into our dear Rose..."- Cora joked...

"Darling Rose...I miss her...She gave us a lot of fun moments...What do you say Mrs Hughes? Shall we dance, like we did it every year during the servants ball?"

"I will not say no to that offer My Lord..."

"In that case My Lady, can I ask you for this dance?"-Charles bowed in front of Cora...

"Of course Carson..."

The grampohone was on, the music was joyful and both couples totally devoted themselves in the happy dance, ending this eventful trip...

Later at night, on the balcony...

"That was quite a trip, wasn't it Robert? Did you enjoy it as much as I did?"

"Indeed Cora...I enjoyed every minute of it...You were right as always...I'm glad, that we came here anyway, even though the children had other plans, that didn't include us...I think that we have given the Carsons some of the loveliest memories..."

"I think so too...They deserved it, didn't they? I really wish to take them again here, with us next summer. That is of course if you haven't changed your mind Robert..."

"I haven't...I will be more than welcome, to bring them back here next year...That is if Carson will live with the idea of spending his vacation with Mary...You know that he treats her almost like the Queen..."

"He does, but if he managed to spend those vacation with you, I'm sure, that he will be more than fine to spend it with Mary too..."

"Let's hope so...Cora...I'm so incredibly happy, that we could have some time for ech other during this trip too...We really needed it...I mean I loved the idea of celebrating our wedding anniversary with the family, but I also like the idea of being here just with you..."

"I loved that too Robert...Very much...As I love you...It was simply marvelous, that we could celebrate 40 years of our marriage, in such beautiful place. I think that we can call ourselves lucky..."

"I know I can...There couldn't be a greater happiness, than being your husband...You are beautiful, intelligent, compassionate, hard working and such a loyal wife...Can I ask for anything more?"

"I guess you can't my love and so can't I...Thank you for this amazing, mutual journey which I hope will last for many years to come..."

"I'm wishing for that too..."

Cora and Robert kissed and they stay embraced, enjoying the silence of the night and their shared closeness...

Meanwhile, in the gardens...

"I'm going to miss those hot nights at the Riviera...They are so beautiful..."-Elsie sighed heavily, it was difficult for her, to say goodbye to that place...

"You know what else is beautiful? My dearest wife...You never ceased to amaze me with your beauty Elsie, not just your external beauty, but also your inner beauty..."

"Charlie...You are a flaterrer...If you want to be and you rarely have this need at home..."

"Am I really that bad? I promise, that I will correct myself from now on and try to be a better husband for my lovely wife...Thank you Elsie, for those last five years, but also for all the years that we spent together as butler and the housekeeper...You were as close to my heart back then, as you are now..."

"It was exactly the same for me Charles...You were always my number one...Ever since the day I met you...We are truly blessed, that we got to spend our fifth anniversary in such amazing place...It's probably the first and the last time, that we will be here, but still I'm grateful for that..."

"So am I...Who knows, maybe we will be invited once more? I'm gettting the feeling, that Lord and Lady Grantham really had a good time with us, as did we..."

"I think so too...And you were so worried about spending time with them, you see Charlie? I was right.."

"As you usually are Els...It was fun to be here with the Granthams, but you are the most important person on this trip for me...Thank you once more, for making me the happiest man in the world..You know how much I love you?"

"I do, but I want to hear this as often as possible...I love you too Charles...You have given me so much, you filled me life with meaning and I'm grateful, that I will be able to spend the last part of my life on this world in your company..."

"Well, in that case, there is nothing more to do for us, than to enjoy those upcoming years of our life... I already know, that I will love to enjoy them with you..."

"So will I Charles, so will I..."

Charles and Elsie shared a loving kiss and they embraced, in the middle of the garden, on the French Riviera, knowing, that this moment and this trip will never be forgotten...

That's all for this story. I think, that the Carsons and the Granthams had a really nice time and they will all remember this trip for a very long time...It was my first Cobert story and I hope, that I didn't disappoint Cobert fans much...Thank you for reading, reviewing and being with me on this Chelsie/Cobert trip. Have a wonderful weekend!