Oh sigh...these two...i die. Sorry for this unediting version. I may not be able to put it up later so I'm doing it now, without proofing! Thank you so much for the encouragement...it keeps me plugging away at this story!

Charles lay in a supine position on the bed in nothing but his shorts. He watched Elsie braid her hair at the desk in their room. She walked to the bed when she finished and handed him her new body cream. "Will you?"

"Of course darling." He moved off the bed and unscrewed the top of the body cream. Elsie turned her back to him, moved her braid and lifted her shift above her shoulders and he helped her pull it off. He scoops the cream into his hand and rubs it into his own hands first, as to not surprise her with a cold touch. They both stood next to the bed and he smoothed the lotion across her back, down her ribs, around her shoulders. His hands were soft and warm and when he reached around to her abdomen, she brought his hands to her breasts and leaned back into his chest, closing her eyes against his touch. He kissed her exposed neck and squeezed her breasts.

They made love; passionate and tender. She had insisted, even though she felt exhausted and sore, God was she sore, but she needed him; the feel of him on her, in her. He was careful, gentle, took his time and resisted the desire to go quickly. He finally collapsed on top of her and she kissed his shoulder, that place on his neck that pulsated in perfect rhythm when he slept, whispered how much she loved him in that sweet Scottish lilt.

She loved this moment, every time...he became like a little boy in her arms. His body shook, his breathing ragged and his eyes heavy with drowsiness. For almost 3 days, she had held this man, in her embrace, pulled him into her very soul and given every part of herself to him. She considered how she had waited her entire adult life to be held like this; a man, who loved her, to hold her and move her, both physically and emotionally. She thought about the nights she had pleasured herself,her thoughts on him...always him...and how strong her climax was, at times. Elsie Hughes was a strong woman with deep convictions, and a secure sense of who she was and she had always been in tune with her body. But she had never fathomed the depth of how she would feel to have him pleasure her. The first time they made love, just 2 days before, she was not prepared for how her body would react at his touch...his intimate touch. She felt out of control but it was the greatest feeling she had ever experienced.

The Carson's lay spooned together. Charles drifted in and out of sleep while Elsie stroked his arm that was draped around her middle.

"When did you first know you loved me?" She asks quietly.

"Hmmm..." he murmurs.

Elsie turns in his arms. "Tell me when you first knew you loved me."

Charles' eyes are closed but he smiles. She runs her slender finger down his cheek. "Well..." he opens his eyes, his lids heavy. "It was 1914." He says matter of factly. "You pulled me into your sitting room and started to tell me the story of you and Joe Burns." He paused and raised an eyebrow.

She began to smile at the memory. "Go on."

"You met him in the village for dinner and he took you to the fair and asked you to marry him."

"Yes..."

"It scared me to death Elsie. I thought I had lost you forever." His eyes were dark and his expression sad.

"But why didn't you..."

"I don't know why I didn't come to you then. I wanted to...God knows...the nights I laid awake, rehearsing...telling you...I was a damn fool. I'll live with that regret for the rest of my life. I've missed so much precious time with you." His eyes brim with tears.

Her own eyes fill with tears. "It's in the past. We both made mistakes where we were concerned. We put everyone else ahead of us but there's no use living with regrets. We have this moment, Charles. We must live it to the fullest...because we never know how..." she swallows hard. "We never know...what tomorrow will bring." Tears spill down her flushed cheeks. They hold each other and cry...knowing her words are as true as any every spoken.

The mood was somewhat somber as they dressed and packed for the train trip back to Downton. Both of them knew what lie ahead; appointments, the possibility of going to America, work, fear. They took their time and spent some time exploring the hotel. After all they hadn't spent a lot of time out of their room.

A plume of black smoke rose into the air above the treeline at King's Cross station. The Carson's settled into their seats on the train and Charles laid his hand in her lap, palm up, he stared at her with intent. Elsie looked at his hand then at his face and smiled, placing her slender hand in his, he took in a deep, resolute breath and looked forward...toward Yorkshire, Downton, their future. She steeled her anxious heart and made a silent promise to hold onto hope. He was hers, she was his and nothing would change that...not sickness, not even death. The moments they had shared these few days could not ever be erased. The connection that bound them together now was a thick braided chord of love, passion, and intimacy. They had committed verbally and physically, with words and with actions, to love and support each other until their dying days.

Charles held Elsie close as she dosed on his shoulder for the duration of the trip. They pulled into the station at York and found the faithful chauffeur waiting there for them. "Mr. and Mrs. Carson...nice to see you again!" He smiled and took the bags from Charles' hands. "Mr. Smithson, good to see you as well." Elsie smiled warmly and nodded.

The car turned onto the long drive toward the house, Charles gave her comforting squeeze of the hand and she leaned into him.

"They're here!" Robert and Cora step outside to greet The Carson's. It was unusual for the Lord and Lady of the house to go out to greet the staff but they weren't conventional and didn't care what it looked like. The Dowager Countess would never dream of going out to meet the staff but she wasn't there so Robert and Cora gladly went to meet their 2 most respected staff members.

Charles couldn't help but slip into Butler mode once out of the car. He nodded his greetings to Jimmy and motioned for him take their bags. Jimmy smiled and nodded before grabbing the bags.

"Do you want these upstairs Mr. Carson?"Jimmy asked.

"Carson, Ol Chap! How are you?" Robert clapped him on the shoulder and Charles had a hard time containing his joy. They shook hands and Robert started toward the front door.

"Oh Milord we will enter through the back." Charles called after him.

"Don't be silly. You will enter through the front door."

"Indeed!" Cora put her hand on Elsie's back. "Mrs...Carson..." she smiled. "I do hope you are well."

"I am your Ladyship. Thank you for asking."

"I've had a letter from my mother." Cora talks quietly as the two ladies walk inside. "I'll let you get settled and then we can talk."

"Certainly."

"Have you felt well while in London?" Cora smiled sweetly.

Elsie hesitates slightly. "I have been tired...but I'm okay." she lies.

"I'm so grateful for all you've done your ladyship. It's so kind of you and Lord Grantham to take care of us."

"It is our pleasure Mrs. Hugh...Carson. I'm sorry, I will get that down." Cora makes apologies.

"It's okay. I've called him Mr. Carson a hundred times this week!" They both laugh.

"Carson, we have something to tell you. Send for Anna and Bates, would you James?" Robert ushers them into the library. "Have a seat."

Elsie and Charles look at each other, both slightly uncomfortable with their new found freedom among the family. They sit close and Charles reaches for her hand. She takes it and instantly her nerves are settled a little.

Mary and Edith joined them in the library. "Oh Carson, Mrs. Hughes..." They all laugh. "I'm sorry, Mrs. Carson. It's good to have you back." Mary greeted them warmly. Soon Anna and Bates have joined them as well. They pass sentiments around before Lord Grantham begins to speak.

"Carson? Mrs. Carson? We have been discussing what would happen when you returned. How the...arrangements would go once you returned to your posts. And Bates and Anna have approached us with an thought."

"Go on." Charles said.

Robert gestured toward John Bates. "I think you should tell them Bates."

John cleared his throat. "Well, Anna and I have been talking and we've decided we would like to give you our cottage."

TBC...