A/N: A little Christmas love to my wonderful followers. :) Hidden gem for the person who wanted Charles's robe to smell like Elsie's perfume a couple of chapters ago. For the guest reviewer who said they didn't know how to set up an account, just click "Login" at the top of the page and it'll lead you through the sign up process. Please do set up accounts so that I can reply to you all.

Also a selfish nod to two of my favorite Christmas songs.

Merry Christmas to you and your families. xx

CSotA

Monday, December 22, 2014

Charles woke up in bed and rolled onto his side, reaching across the mattress to lay his hand on …

Nothing.

He opened his eyes and saw Elsie's side of his bed, rumpled but empty.

Elsie's side of the bed? Really? She's spent two nights in it!

He rolled over to the edge and found her note, propped up against the lamp, and smiled as he reached for it.

Good morning -

Gone to feed the zoo and grab some clothes. Back soon. x

-Els

He read it three times before laying it back on the nightstand and maneuvering himself over to her side of the bed. He placed his head on the pillow she'd used last night and inhaled, and his stomach fluttered happily as he realized it already smelled like her. He'd noticed that about his robe the first time she'd stayed, and it was thrilling to discover that he looked forward to that happening a third time. It was as though she were making her presence known in his life even when she wasn't present.

Charles rather liked that, and sent up a silent prayer of thanks to whatever force had brought her into his life.

And then he remembered that Christmas was in three days, and neither he nor Elsie had procured a tree yet. He did have Daisy's gifts sorted, thank goodness.

He hopped out of bed and headed into the shower, hoping to be done by the time Elsie returned.

Suddenly, his first Christmas away from England was looking a whole lot brighter, indeed.

Elsie pulled into Charles's driveway and parked his car. She wondered if he'd mind that she'd taken it, but she really hadn't wanted to wake him.

Perhaps I can wake him now, she thought with a smile, already fabricating ways in her mind which she could do that very thing.

However, the sight that greeted her when she walked in the front door was not what she'd expected at all, and any thoughts she'd had involving slipping back into bed by his side vanished instantly.

Her senses were first assaulted by the smell of cinnamon and clove, no doubt coming from the cast iron kettle set atop the wood stove, steam pouring from its spout. There were Christmas carols playing throughout the house; Elsie wondered for a split second why she'd not noticed that there were speakers everywhere and not just in the room with the piano.

Elsie removed her gloves and boots, then hung her coat on the hook and made her way slowly down the hall, a smile on her face. As she got closer to the kitchen, she could hear Charles's deep baritone singing along with the carols.

Said the little lamb to the shepherd boy,

Do you hear what I hear?

Ringing through the sky, shepherd boy,

Do you hear what I hear?

He hadn't realized she was behind him, so she did the only thing she could, really: she sneaked up behind him and joined her voice with his, startling him; he turned around and smiled and, together, they finished the verse in perfect harmony.

A song, a song high above the trees

With a voice as big as the sea,

With a voice as big as the sea.

"You're back," he said warmly, reaching out for a kiss - which she readily gave him.

"I am. I hope you didn't mind my leaving with your car, but as you picked me up for dinner last night ..."

"Not at all," he answered. "How was everyone?"

"Doing wonderfully, thanks. Anna spent the night at the house, actually, instead of bringing Max home with her. He was thrilled, to say the least."

They stood for a moment looking at one another, not speaking, lost in thoughts of last night: take-away Chinese food, brought to Charles's place, consumed along with a bottle of wine at kitchen counter. They'd decided to forego the formal dining room table in favor of the ease of the counter, and had spent two hours leisurely eating, drinking, and talking. When the counter chairs were no longer comfortable nor sensible, they'd moved to the living room and cuddled up in front of a Christmas film that was playing on TV. When Elsie had started to doze, Charles had nudged her and suggested that they go to bed. She'd complied readily, realizing once they'd gotten to the bedroom that she wasn't so tired after all.

Elsie was the first to snap out of their hazy, shared memory.

"Someone turned into Father Christmas when I was gone," she teased. "What's all this about?"

"I woke up and realized Christmas will be here in three days," he replied, kissing her nose and then moving over to the oven, where Elsie noted he had a tray of cookies baking. As he removed the cookie sheet and placed it on the stove top, he added, "Neither of us has a tree, something which I think we should rectify today."

"I see," she nodded. "So we are to procure and decorate two trees today?"

"Almost. Daisy and I decorate ours on Christmas Eve, actually, so I suppose only yours will need to be done before then." He moved the cookies from the sheet to a cooling rack, where a dozen and a half were already set.

"I see. Alright, then … how many more of these have to go in the oven?" she asked, sneaking one of the cooled gingerbread men and biting its head off before Charles could snatch it out of her hand.

"Those are supposed to be frosted," he grumbled, and Elsie laughed. "What?" he asked her.

"You! You're all … Christmassy. I didn't expect it, I suppose."

"Do you approve, Ms. Hughes?" he asked seductively, snaking an arm around her waist and stealing a bit of the cookie.

"I do, actually. I love Christmas. Let's finish this up and then we'll head to see John about a couple of trees. Let me call Anna and see if she's still around to help - if you don't mind."

"Not at all," he replied, sliding the last tray of cookies in. "I need 14 minutes for these, and then I'm all yours."

Elsie looked up at him fondly as the phone began to ring in her ear.

"Yes, I suppose you are, now," she mused, tilting her head. "Although I do have to share you with one adorable little angel … but that's perfectly alright."

The smile she got back in reply was priceless; just then, Anna answered her phone.

"Elsie?" Anna's voice sounded. "Everything alright?"

"Perfectly fine, dear. We're heading up to John's place to get a couple of trees. Fancy a ride?"

"Are you sure you'd like company?" Anna asked.

"Absolutely," Elsie said. "Pick you up in … half an hour?" she asked, raising her eyebrows in silent question to Charles, who nodded his agreement.

"Sounds good - thanks, Elsie!"

Elsie slid her phone into the pocket of her jeans and turned to Charles.

"That girl is so in love with John Bates it's not even funny, and I think he returns the sentiment. I hope you don't mind, but as Anna's friend …"

"You needed to help out in the matchmaker department - yes, I gathered that. And it's fine by me," he smiled.

"Good. Now what does a girl have to do to get her hands on another cookie around here?" she asked playfully, hands on her hips.

"Well," Charles said seductively, "given that we only have -" he glanced at the oven timer " -ten minutes, I'm going to say she needs to kiss the cook."

"I could make that take ten minutes," she purred.

"I'm counting on it," he replied, pulling her into his arms as their lips met … and, ten minutes later, were separated by the buzz of the timer.

The Volvo bounced up the dirt road as the Bates Tree Farm came into view.

"I can't believe how much it's changed since we came apple picking," Charles marveled, pulling into the nearest parking spot and getting out of the car.

"He does an amazing job, and his mother is so creative and clever," Anna sighed as she closed her door behind her.

Charles looked sideways at Elsie and smirked, his knowing glance saying he wholeheartedly agreed with her: Anna Smith was, indeed, smitten.

Just then, Mrs. Bates came into view.

"Elsie!" she called, waving.

Charles looked up and saw a short, stout woman with long, white hair tied back in a ponytail. He would have put her age at just a bit past his own, but her face showed all the youthful vigor of a woman half that.

"And you must be Mr. Carson," she said, offering her hand. "Fiona Bates, John's mother."

"Charles, please," he said, shaking her hand. "It's a pleasure to meet you."

"Likewise. I'm sorry I missed you and your daughter when you came apple picking - I hear she was quite taken with the experience."

Charles was puzzled. "And you heard this … how?" he asked.

"Oh, Charles," she laughed. "It's a small town, or haven't you realized? There are no secrets in Misty Cove."

Charles blushed a bit, and Elsie decided to step in and save him.

"I do keep telling him that, Fiona. Tell me," she said, taking the woman's arm in her own and heading off in the direction of the Christmas trees, "how are your family in Ireland?"

As their voices trailed off, Charles felt something tap at his elbow.

"Mr. Carson?" Anna said meekly. "Shall we follow them?"

He cleared his throat, embarrassed at having been caught staring after Elsie.

"Of course, Anna. Tell me … how old is Mrs. Bates?"

Anna giggled. "I've no idea, but I know what you're thinking. We call her John's Christmas Elf - she seems so youthful and just has such a twinkle about her, don't you think?"

"Indeed," he chuckled.

As they caught up to the older women, Charles finally spotted John.

"Anna!" John exclaimed, smiling broadly.

"Good morning! Looks like you're busy today - lots of folks waiting until the last minute?"

"Some of us have no choice!" Elsie called. "Wood stove, don't you know?"

"And some of us have been rather busy doing other things," Fiona mumbled so that only Elsie could hear.

"Oh, don't you start," Elsie muttered under her breath.

"I wouldn't dream of it," Fiona replied, squeezing Elsie's arm lovingly. "You've no idea how truly happy we are for you, love."

Elsie smiled and nodded, happiness written all over her face as she turned and winked at Charles.

"Thank you."

An hour later Elsie, Charles, and Anna were piling back into the car, two trees netted and secured on the roof rack.

"Let them settle until tonight and you should be all set," John advised, patting the roof of the car as Charles closed the door.

"Will do," he replied. "Good to see you again, John."

"Likewise. Will I see you all at church tonight?" He looked expectantly at Anna, who nodded.

"I believe so," Elsie answered, and Charles nodded.

"We'll be there."

"Alright, then - tighten it up!" Elsie backed away from the tree and admired it, cocking her head to be sure it was straight.

"Sure thing!" came Anna's muffled exclamation from underneath the branches. She tightened the tree stand's screws and crawled out from underneath. "Look good?"

"Perfect," Charles murmured, staring at the tree, Elsie standing in front of it, and the snow that was falling just outside Elsie's bay window. "Truly, it's the perfect Christmas picture."

Elsie looked down at the floor, embarrassed for his (and her) feelings to be so evident in front of Anna. She needn't have worried, though, for Anna had turned away to toss another log on the fire in Elsie's stove.

"Alright, then … that's you two sorted for trees. If you don't mind, Elsie, I'm heading home to finish up some wrapping. But I'll be around Wednesday for Daisy's appointment. Do you need anything from the mall? I think I might have to head there between now and then," she added with a shudder.

"No," Elsie laughed, "I'm all set, but thank you."

Anna gave Elsie a hug and a quick peck on the cheek, then surprised Charles with the same.

"See you all later, then," she said, making her way out the door.

"Bye."

Elsie turned and saw Charles staring at her intently.

"No," she warned. "Don't you dare look at me that way, Mr. Carson. I have way too many things to take care of between now and Wednesday morning."

"Look at you how, exactly?" he said softly, approaching her slowly as she backed away from him, lip clenched between her teeth.

"Like I'm some kind of prey," she replied, chuckling. She ended up backed against the couch, and put her hand up onto his chest to stop him from advancing any further.

"Give me two more hours of your time, and I swear I'll leave you alone until Wednesday - and by then Daisy will be home," he whispered. "Cross my heart."

Elsie's eyes flitted to the clock on the mantle, then back to the gorgeous man before her.

"Two hours, hm?" she asked, licking her lips slowly as she contemplated her schedule. "Oh, the hell with it - you can stay."

The words were barely out of her mouth before she found herself tackled and virtually pinned to her couch, somehow lying rather comfortably beneath the gentle giant that was Charles. His lips were playing over her neck, and her giggles at having been tossed onto the sofa quickly turned to soft moans as he began unbuttoning her flannel shirt.

"Two hours, indeed," she gasped. "Well, the tree has to settle anyhow …"

True to his word, Charles didn't set foot near Elsie's place after he left Monday afternoon. Daisy came home Monday night, and Charles had asked Elsie to be sure not to drop in unexpectedly, as Daisy was working on a Christmas gift for her. Elsie was touched that Daisy would think to make her anything, and had quietly agreed.

She spent Tuesday working around the farm instead. Tommy came by and helped her to secure the fence for winter. He'd finished painting it just before the snow had fallen, thank goodness, but the heavy snows expected that year meant that a good deal would be plowed up against the posts, and so Elsie had wanted to brace them a bit before having to deal with it.

"Some people came by the house yesterday," he confided in her as they were working. "You wouldn't know anything about that, would you?"

"What kind of people?" Elsie asked, not meeting his eyes as she screwed a support pole into the fence post.

"Child services people," he answered.

She did meet his eyes, then, and was surprised to find only curiosity in them, with no trace of anger or betrayal.

"And what did they say?"

"They asked about my father, about whether or not he was abusing us," he answered bluntly. "They wanted to talk to him, but he's gone now, so … well, they got us instead."

"And what did your mother tell them?" Elsie was pretty sure she knew, but didn't want to jump to conclusions.

"She said 'not anymore,' and that he was gone," he answered. "And they said if it starts up again they'd be back."

Well, thought Elsie, there's that. She knew full well what "we'll be back" meant – if they could corroborate any charges that the school or anyone else made against the elder Thomas Barrow, they'd take Tommy from his home and place him in emergency foster care. She also knew what 'not anymore' meant; Tommy's father had sailed out, not moved out, but Mrs. Barrow hadn't made that distinction particularly clear.

Elsie had known that was how it would go down when she placed the call, of course. Being a school nurse meant that Elsie was a mandated reporter in cases such as these, and if it hadn't been her then Edith would have called herself. But they'd been down this road with the Barrows before, and Mr. Barrow was many things ... but stupid wasn't one of them. He knew his wife feared being alone, without the income he provided, and that she'd lie to protect him. And Elsie knew that abuse was so very hard to prove sometimes. A wife who denies that anything ever happened, children whose bruises are healed and no longer visible … all sorts of things contributed to authorities sometimes deciding that their time was being wasted.

"Well, then," she said aloud, and they shared a look that spoke volumes:

I know it was you.

You know I'd do it again to protect you.

I know.

Christmas Eve was sunny and blustery, and Daisy arrived at the farm for her eleven o'clock appointment. Elsie usually didn't schedule anything during Christmas week, but as Daisy hadn't been for a while she and Anna had made the exception.

The difference in Daisy's demeanor, however, was remarkable. In the four days since Elsie had seen her at the wedding, the girl seemed to have simply blossomed. She was happy, giddy, and excited for Christmas.

"Marigold gave me this," Daisy whispered to Elsie, holding up an enormous, chrome-plated, iron key. "She said she and her Mama found it, and it's for kids whose families don't have chimneys for Santa Claus to come down. No fireplace," she added, and Elsie understood.

Brilliant – good on you, Edith, she thought.

"I see. And what are you to do with it?"

"We are supposed to tie it to the door handle, and Santa will find it and use his magic to make it work in our door," Daisy told her, eyes wide with wonder.

"Ah," Elsie said, nodding. "How wonderful – what a thoughtful thing for them to get for you." She reached out rubbed Daisy's shoulder as they walked toward the barn.

"Someone's missed you," Elsie said lovingly, and she handed Daisy some peppermints for Scarlett. "These are her Christmas treat – not too many, but a couple will be fine. She loves them."

Daisy palmed one in her mittened hand and held it up for Scarlett, who snuffled and gobbled it up, then whinnied playfully as she shook her head. She was clearly delighted with the sensation of the mint, and Daisy laughed at her reaction. The two mints that followed were quickly dispensed with, and Elsie fed a couple to Star as well.

"It's quite windy today," Elsie said. "I think she could use an excellent brushing down, but first … perhaps you could help Scarlett to open her gift?"

Daisy's eyes widened. "Her gift?" she whispered.

"Oh, yes – it just showed up here this morning. Anna found it on the bench," she said, nodding toward the bench and watching as Daisy's head whipped around and spotted the large package.

"Do I open it with Anna?" she asked softly, and Elsie nodded.

"Yes, she'll help you – it seems quite heavy for some reason," Elsie added, pretending to be puzzled. "There's one for Star, too."

Daisy was nodding her understanding as Anna came into the barn.

"Hey Daisy – Merry Christmas!" She approached the little girl and gave her a little package. "This is to put under your tree, alright?"

Daisy smiled and nodded her thanks, and then headed over to the large packages on the bench. She looked at the enormous tags on each, and selected the package with Scarlett's name on it. She noticed no other name on the tag … just a picture of a Santa.

"Go on, then," Anna encouraged her, and Daisy peeled the paper away, breathing in an audible gasp as she revealed a lovely coat for Scarlett. It was pink with purple designs, and Daisy loved it instantly.

"Oh, thank goodness!" Anna exclaimed.

"What is it?" Elsie's happy voice called, and she walked over to peer over Anna's shoulder. "Oh, my, that is lovely!"

"She needed a new coat," Anna confirmed, "and this is the perfect one!"

"I wonder how he knew," Elsie mused, watching Daisy out of the corner of her eye.

Daisy pulled on Elsie's sleeve, then, and Elsie bent down to listen.

"Elves," Daisy whispered, and Elsie nodded.

"I think so, love," she said, and Daisy beamed.

The wonder of Christmas, Anna thought, watching them both. For children, certainly … and perhaps for some adults as well.

Elsie parked her truck three spots down from Charles's car and headed into the church. The candlelit atmosphere always took her breath away – it was something they only did on Christmas Eve and, while the church was lowly lit by the overhead lights at the moment, it would be a candlelit "Silent Night" to which the congregation would be singing at the close of the service itself.

She spotted the Carsons talking to the Carlisles, and so she stayed back a bit in the vestibule, chatting with Beryl and Bill. But Charles spotted her, excused himself and Daisy, and headed over to her.

"Happy Christmas Eve," he said, bending to kiss her briefly on the lips.

"And to you," Elsie replied, holding out her arm so that Daisy could come in and give her a short hug. Elsie took a moment to assess Daisy's reaction to the kiss, but it seemed that, so far, everything was fine.

The prelude music sounded and they found seats in the middle section of pews. Charles always sat on the end, Elsie noted, so that he had room in the aisle for his long legs. With Daisy between them, they settled in and Elsie opened the program. She gasped when she spotted Daisy's name on the list of participants.

Surely she's not reading, Elsie thought. But she pointed to Daisy's name and showed the girl, who nodded and agreed that yes, she was participating in the service.

Elsie breathed deeply, cleansing her mind in order to be completely present in the service itself. It was her favorite part of Christmas, besides the time spent with Becky, and the music was festive and bright. The minister would alternate between reading bits of the Bible Christmas story and carols and hymns that helped to tell the tale. When they reached the Musical Interlude that was printed in the order of worship, Daisy stood and leaned over to Elsie.

"Merry Christmas, Elsie," she whispered, and she kissed her on the cheek before exiting the pew.

"What?" Elsie asked, stunned and confused. She looked at Charles, who handed her a card.

"Open it," he whispered.

Elsie's brow furrowed, and her mind registered Daisy's soft footsteps as her shoes clicked up the aisle toward the altar. She removed the card from its unsealed envelope and opened it, her eyes blurring as she read the simple words:

Merry Christmas, Elsie. Papa told me this song was special to you. It is my present for you. Love, Daisy

She looked at Charles, and a bit of their conversation from the other night few through her mind.

"So, what's your favorite Christmas song?"

"You'll laugh," Elsie had said.

"I will not," he insisted. "Tell me."

"It's 'Greensleeves.'"

"Why is that funny?"

"Well, some people feel the words have hidden meanings, some that are not quite ... well, appropriate. I like it best when it's just instrumental, though. Becky and I used to dance around the kitchen to it. Our Mam had the most lovely voice, and she'd hum the tune while she cooked our Christmas dinner."

"It's a lovely memory," he'd said, reaching out to hold her hand. "I did expect something with words, but that's a much nicer answer."

Elsie gasped. "You didn't," she whispered to him, her eyes filling with tears.

"I may have," he allowed, putting his arm around her as Daisy settled herself on the piano bench. "But only because she asked. She wanted to do something for you, love. I hope you enjoy it."

Just then, Daisy's small fingers touched the keys, and Elsie was instantly eleven years old again, dancing around in the small kitchen of her family's farm in Scotland, reliving fond memories of Christmases past – the only times when there was peace in her family.

Charles was entranced, both by the song his daughter had dutifully practiced these past two days and by the woman seated beside him. They'd not be spending the night together, but it was no matter: he couldn't imagine a more magical Christmas what he was experiencing at that very moment.

"Merry Christmas, Elsie," he whispered, leaning over to place a kiss to her head.

Elsie couldn't speak. As Daisy played out the last notes of the song, Elsie just nodded and squeezed his hand. When Charles got out of the pew to let Daisy back in, Elsie followed him. She crouched down on one knee, and Daisy practically skipped back down the aisle in her lovely Christmas dress. Elsie held her arms out, and Daisy flew into her embrace, returning it forcefully.

"That's the best Christmas present I've ever received, Daisy," she murmured in the girl's ear. "Thank you so very much."

"Merry Christmas," Daisy whispered, and placed a kiss to Elsie's cheek.

"Merry Christmas, darling."

And a Merry Christmas to all of you! A little review would be the best gift of all. The next chapter will pick up around New Year's. :) xx