A/N: Fan fiction's website is being a pain tonight, so hopefully this goes okay and lets me reply to your reviews. Of course, guest reviews don't even have that option, so if you review as a GUEST (even if you type in your name) please consider creating an account so that I can reply individually. Fan fiction doesn't actually give me your personal address, it filters through the website itself. But some of you (calling out Susie here, among others) reply religiously and I'd love to chat!

That being said, it's almost New Year's Eve for real, so here's the NYE chapter. Lots of stuff happening here, some feels ... and reappearances of favorite and not-so-favorite characters.

The song at the end is on my Spotify. :) Just look me up (username: ChelsieSouloftheAbbey and playlist: After the Fall) - I put up different playlists for all my music fics.

Do let me know what you think! I wish you all a SAFE and HAPPY New Year!

xx,

CSotA

Tuesday, December 30, 2014

"Beryl, I'm sorry, but I just don't know yet," Elsie said. "I'm putting you on speaker now, so don't shout, please." She laid her phone down on the counter and donned her oven mitts, then opened the oven.

"What did you make? I can hear that creaky oven door all the way over here."

Elsie rolled her eyes and withheld a groan. "It's stuffed shells," she said, pulling the casserole dish out and laying it on the trivets she'd set out.

"Big dinner for one," Beryl hinted.

"You don't know how many I made," Elsie volleyed. "It could just be four shells."

"Right. Okay, Missy, be that way. But we will see you all tomorrow?"

"Not promising anything, Beryl. Please, just … leave it, alright?"

Elsie picked the phone back up and turned off the speaker, and caught her friend's deep sigh.

"Why? Elsie, love, talk to me … what's the matter?"

Elsie blew her bangs off of her forehead in frustration. "I don't know," she said quietly. "Nothing. Maybe that's the problem."

"I'm sorry?" Beryl chuckled exasperatedly. "Here you've got this gorgeous, kind man who fawns over your every move, with a beautiful daughter who made it clear last week in front of a packed church – which was half the town or more, mind you – that she adores you, and you think this is all indicative of some sort of problem? Don't go borrowing trouble, Elsie. It's not like you, and it doesn't suit you."

"I know, and Charles and I have been over it all – well, mostly," she amended quickly, "and we're comfortable with being together. It's just that we're taking it slowly, sort of … for Daisy's sake. She doesn't need any stress right now and, despite how happy she's claimed to be about it all, she's not really seen us together much, you know? I don't want to push ahead and then have her resent me for it. Her mother's only been gone four months."

"Ah, there it is," Beryl answered.

"There what is?"

"Your reservations – they're not about him, they're about her."

"Of course they're about her!"

Beryl counted to three, biting her tongue, before she spoke.

"Elsie Hughes, you are my best friend in the world, and I'm going to tell you this out of love."

Elsie rolled her eyes again. "Here we go …" she muttered.

"Yes, here we go. You cannot accept that you are deserving of some happiness, can you? Just let it go, girl! This family didn't just walk into your life for no reason, Elsie. You are meant to be together, whether you choose to accept that or not. But I've seen them with you – both of them – and I'm telling you now, you'd be a fool not to grab on to all that happiness."

"But Daisy has come so far, Beryl. I just …" She bit down on her lip furiously, attempting not to cry. "I just … I can't bear the thought of her changing her mind about me," she finished in a shaky whisper.

"I know, but you need to have faith in her. If she's learned anything in her short life, it's resilience. And from what I gather, she'd done fairly well with the fact that Charles and his late wife were separated and about to be divorced, and that was well before Alice died and they set foot in Misty Cove."

"Wait – how do you know that?"

Beryl heaved a deep sigh. "I wouldn't tell another soul, and wasn't even going to mention it to you, but you're beating yourself up over nothing. That girl really cares a great deal for you, Elsie. Her father said as much to Bill."

Elsie was stunned. "I know she likes me, but … wait, how much time has Charles been spending with Bill?" She could almost hear Beryl's smile over the phone.

"Every Wednesday lunch since they met," Beryl answered happily, "and I'm grateful for it. Misty Cove is a fabulous place to live, but the men are almost all the same, aren't they? Bill is thrilled to have someone with an intellectual background to sit and chew the fat with, I don't mind saying."

"I don't doubt that," Elsie allowed. Bill Mason was perhaps one of the smartest men she'd ever met, a quality he kept hidden beneath the quiet persona he showed to the public. His innate understanding of human nature was one of Elsie's favorite qualities about the man, and was what had made him such a wonderful match for Beryl, who could be the kindest woman on the planet but who was often quick to judge and sharp of tongue. Bill's calm demeanor balanced that out beautifully, and Elsie could see now how he and Charles would undoubtedly be good friends if given the chance.

"In any event," Beryl said, "please talk to Charles. Come to the party together – not as a family, if you don't want to think of it that way –"

"Because we aren't," Elsie interrupted.

"I know," Beryl answered patiently. "But don't be afraid to be … well, something. Daisy certainly isn't suffering, that I can tell you for sure. By the way," she added, "I've been meaning to tell you – Santa visiting the barn? Absolutely brilliant."

Elsie laughed. "Thank you. I do remember a few tricks from when Becky and I were lasses, you know."

"Aww, how is darling Becky this week? I'd forgotten you were planning to visit yesterday. Has she recovered from all the excitement of Christmas?"

"I think so," Elsie replied. "The party at the home was really exciting, and she's got a new friend that she's watching out for, and I think it helped to have her focused on something other than the fact that I wasn't there on the day itself. She was reading the book again when I showed up, you know," she added, referring to the illustrated version of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland that Beryl and Bill had given her. "I think she's gotten through it five times now, although I realize it's not a difficult read. Thank you so much for that."

"Well," Beryl said softly, "we know how she loves the classics. It must be hard for her, being fully able to function and yet not being allowed to leave the place. She needs to keep busy." Becky was a voracious reader, and Beryl and Bill always tried to find something new to add to her collection at Christmastime.

Elsie smiled and nodded, even though Beryl couldn't see her. "I know, but it's really the best place for her. She's not had any outbursts in months now, and she really likes her new doctor. She truly loves you both, you know – and William and Ivy, too. Do bring them along next time you come with me, if you can."

"I shall. Elsie … have you told her yet? About Charles?"

"I have, sort of. I mentioned that I'd met someone, and that we were dating. I think that's about all she needs to know for now. She seemed alright with the idea, but I didn't want to push my luck – for obvious reasons."

"Good. I'm glad she at least knows. Take that slowly, but don't wait too long."

"I won't."

"Alright," Beryl said. "I'll leave you to your dinner. But talk to Charles about tomorrow night and let me know, alright? William and Ivy know Daisy from school and even though she's a bit younger, they seem to like her very much. Have you heard from Edith?"

"I have. They're happy to be back, and I believe they're planning to go."

"Well, then, now you have no excuse. Come tomorrow night - I expect to see your cute little feet moving frantically on my restaurant-turned-dance floor."

"Beryl …" Elsie warned.

"I know, I know! Alright, off with you."

Elsie smiled. "I love you, you daft woman."

Just then, Elsie's doorbell rang and Max let out a bark.

"Ha! I knew it wasn't dinner for one!" Beryl cackled gleefully. "And I love you, too … it's why I'm pushing you, you know."

"I do know, and I'm grateful to you for it. Talk soon." She hung up the phone just as she pulled open the door.

"Hi," Charles said, leaning down to place a lingering peck to her lips, with Daisy pushing past them to kneel down and pat Max.

"Hi. Come on in," Elsie smiled.

"Dinner smells delicious!" Daisy commented. "I'm starving!"

They were sitting down in the sun room by the fire instead of in the dining room, and Daisy was looking outside at the horses from the neighbors' property frolicking in the light snowfall. She giggled softly, but her attention was drawn back to the adults when Elsie started speaking.

"So," Elsie said, placing her napkin beside her now-empty plate, "Beryl wants us to discuss the New Year's Eve party at the restaurant."

"Alright … what about it? We're going, aren't we?" Charles asked, looking at Daisy, who nodded.

"Well, I wasn't sure if you were, actually," Elsie hedged, fiddling with the stem of her wineglass.

Charles immediately understood her hesitation, and reached his hand out to still her fidgeting.

"I assumed we would pick you up around eight, then head over together."

Elsie raised her gaze to his, then looked over at Daisy, who nodded once again.

"You've discussed this between yourselves?"

"We have," he reassured her. "Marigold will be there, too, from what I understand. And Beryl and Bill's two, and a few other children, I'm sure."

"Yes, well …" Elsie said. "Alright then … together."

Charles squeezed her hand, then stood and started clearing the dishes. Elsie began to protest, but he shushed her.

"Don't – stay and finish your wine, I'm only going to soak them in your sink, alright?"

Elsie nodded and sat back, still a bit uneasy about having someone else doing chores in her home.

"Elsie?" Daisy ventured softly. "May I ask you something?"

Elsie turned her head and looked at Daisy – really looked at her. The girl was clearly struggling with something internal, and Elsie was suddenly terrified of what it might be, her old insecurities creeping back in once again.

She nibbled her lip and caught herself, running her tongue over it before finally answering.

"Of course, Daisy. What is it?"

Daisy blushed, and started twisting her fingers in her lap.

"Do you love Papa? I mean … not like you love your friends, but really love him?"

Elsie's mouth opened, but she couldn't manage to make any sound some out. She closed it again, then tried once again to speak. She managed a soft sigh, and then a barely audible - but very honest - whisper.

"Yes, Daisy. Very much, actually."

"Hmm," Daisy mused, her brow furrowed.

Elsie wasn't sure what to make of this strange conversation. "Were you worried that I didn't?" she ventured.

Daisy shook her head, a silent No.

Alright, Elsie thought, now thoroughly confused.

"You didn't seem like you wanted to go the party with us," Daisy whispered. "Is it because of me?"

Ah.

Elsie took a minute to formulate an answer.

"Yes and no," she finally said.

Daisy's head flew up, and Elsie calmed her fears quickly.

"I'm sorry, that was confusing," she chuckled, and Daisy nodded warily. "It's just that I do care for you both so very much, Daisy. But I promised you that I am not trying to take the place of your mother, and I want you to remember that. I just … well, I don't want to do anything that would ever make you feel uncomfortable. Does that make sense? And if I ever do, then I need you to tell me, or tell your Papa, or even Miss Baxter if you prefer. Is that fair?"

"Yes," Daisy whispered. "But do you think … well …"

Charles came back into the room at that point, effectively cutting her off.

"Those are soaking," he announced, moving behind Elsie and massaging her shoulders gently. She sighed and he felt her almost melt underneath his hands, and the domesticity of the scene was not lost on him. He was so comfortable with her, and it was both surprising and soothing to realize that.

"Ladies, what do you say? Movie?"

Daisy looked up at him strangely, almost frustrated, and he wondered if he'd interrupted something.

"Did I come in at a bad time?" he asked. "I feel that I've missed something."

Elsie reached up to pat his hand and turned to face him.

"You did, actually," she said with a half-smile. "But I think it's a conversation to finish at a later time anyhow, perhaps."

Charles looked suspiciously at Daisy. "Daisy … what's going on?"

But Daisy just shook her head. Charles could see something was weighing heavily on her mind, though.

"Elsie, what if we leave you to take care of the dishes, and Daisy and I can bring Max for a walk?" he suggested.

Max's ears pricked up at 'walk,' his favorite word (right after 'ride' and 'treat'), and Elsie laughed.

"You're in for it now, you know. But it's freezing out, and dark unless you stick to the main road. Are you sure?"

"Absolutely," he answered, reaching down to kiss her cheek. He glanced up at Daisy, but she seemed nonplussed.

Well, that's good, he thought.

"We'll just go to the end of the drive and down the road a bit, then come right back."

"Okay, then … if you insist. Thank you."

"Let's go, boy!" he said to Max, who bounded eagerly to the hook where his leash was hanging. Charles and Daisy got boots and coats on, then Daisy clipped the leash to Max's collar and they headed out, hearing Elsie humming in the kitchen as they closed the door.

They walked on for quite a while without speaking, each of them trying to work out a few thoughts in their minds.

"Papa, do you love Elsie?" Daisy asked out of the blue. She reached down and patted Max, who turned and licked some snow off of her mitten before rubbing his head against her leg.

"I think you know I do, petal," he replied softly. He had come to realize he was so in love with Elsie that he didn't know which end was up. He'd been spending an alarming amount of time recently thinking of what it would be like to have a more permanent relationship, of living together, even marrying her … and his heart began to ache as Daisy questioned him, because he knew without a doubt that if she didn't approve, if it hurt her too much to have another woman sliding into what had previously been Alice's place, it would never come to pass.

"Does that upset you? I know that before you said it didn't, but that was before."

"No, it doesn't. I really like her, Papa. I told you."

"I know you did. But I need to be sure." He licked his lips, then put his hand out to take Max's leash from her. He put it in his right hand and then wrapped his left arm around Daisy's shoulders, pulling her into a hug as Max waited patiently for them to start walking again.

"I love her so much that I'd like for us to think about being a proper family one day," he admitted, "but not if that makes you upset or uncomfortable." Charles almost cringed as he awaited Daisy's response to that admission, the thing he hadn't planned on telling her for another couple of months but which had just slipped out on a gust of warm, foggy breath into the icy air.

"I miss Mummy," she said quietly, and she teared up and wrapped her arms around him more tightly. "I miss her all the time. But she didn't love you like that. If she did, she wouldn't have left."

Charles let out a deep sigh and willed himself to remain strong amidst his daughter's clearly fragile feelings. He had to remind himself that she was so much younger biologically than she sometimes seemed when they were speaking.

"She did, once," he said. "And she always loved you so very much, you know that." He gave Max's leash a tug, and they began walking slowly again.

Daisy sniffled and nodded. "I know."

"I miss your Mum, too," he admitted. "I knew her over half my life. But, sometimes, it's possible to find someone to love again."

Daisy nodded. "Like Edith did," she said sagely. "She still loves Marigold's Papa, and she misses him, but she loves Bertie, too."

Charles wasn't sure what to make of that. It was spot-on, yet totally unexpected.

"Daisy," he ventured, "have you discussed this with Marigold? I mean, are you talking to her?"

Daisy looked up at him and nodded, a shy smile about her lips. "Only the last night I was there," she said. "Marigold was talking about Bertie, and how much she really loves him. He's so very kind, and funny, and he makes them happy."

"I see," Charles replied, nodding slowly as he reevaluated once again his daughter's incredible perceptive nature. "Yes, they're going to be a lovely family."

Daisy nodded. "She told me that Bertie had a talk with her. He wanted to make sure Marigold wanted him as her new Papa."

"And she did, didn't she?" Charles asked.

"Oh, yes, she did," Daisy answered.

"Well," he ventured as they turned and began walking back to Elsie's house, "that's good, then." What in the world is she getting at?

"Mm," Daisy hummed softly.

They walked on for a minute or two, and then Charles tried once more to get to the heart of the issue that Daisy seemed to be mulling over.

"Daisy, why did you ask me about Elsie? I can tell something is bothering you, but I don't know what it is unless you tell me, petal."

Daisy took a deep breath. "Elsie doesn't want to be my Mummy," she whispered, and a tear trailed down her cheek.

Charles stopped suddenly, jerking unintentionally on Max's leash. "What?" he whispered. "What do you mean?"

"She doesn't," Daisy insisted in a wavering, whispering voice. "She told me - twice. She said she doesn't want to try and be my new Mummy." Daisy sniffled and wiped angrily at her face.

And suddenly it all became crystal clear to Charles, and he reached a gloved hand over and placed it behind Daisy's head, then squatted down and kissed her on the forehead.

"Oh, Daisy, she didn't mean that the way you think she did, love," he said kindly. "Not at all. She just doesn't want you to think she's trying to be somehow better than your Mummy was. Elsie knows you loved Mummy so very much, that you always will, and she doesn't want you to think she's trying to push her out of your heart."

Daisy looked up in horror. "But I don't think that! Not at all! But … well, it's so nice to have Elsie with us. She's funny, and kind. She lets me help with her farm, and doesn't make me talk about things that I don't want to talk about. It's like … I dunno, like she really cares about how I feel."

"She does," Charles replied, "so very much. And I think that, someday, if we all want it, we might have a chance to be a proper family. And what Elsie means when she says that about Mummy is that it would be a different family. It might be hard for you to see us together, Daisy, and you may have days when you don't like it, when you might be upset with Elsie simply because she's not your Mum. And she doesn't want that to upset you. Does that make sense?"

He saw the understanding dawn in his darling girl's big, brown eyes. "Ohh," Daisy said. "That's not what I thought she meant," she said sheepishly.

"No," he chuckled, "I gather that, now." He paused, unsure of whether or not to ask the burning question in his mind.

"What is it, Papa?"

He looked her straight in the eyes.

"If, someday, you were to have a chance to have a new Mummy – a different one – do you think you'd like it to be someone like Elsie?"

Daisy saw the look in his eyes, and knew he was afraid of her answer. But Charles hadn't counted on one very important thing: things in children's lives are often much, much clearer than they appear to adults. Daisy knew she and her Papa loved Elsie, and that Elsie seemed to love them right back. And, really, wasn't that what being a family was all about?

She nodded, and placed a kiss to his frigid forehead.

"Yes."

They returned to the house and Charles bent to brush as much snow as he could off of Max's fur before they went inside. They'd found a stick somewhere along the way and Max and Daisy had played an excellent game of fetch, ending with Max tumbling into a snowbank that wasn't quite as "solid" as it seemed.

"And just what have you two done to my dog?" Elsie teased, hands on her hips, as she spotted them.

"We played fetch," Charles admitted sheepishly. "I tried to clean him off as best I could …"

"I'm kidding, Charles," she laughed, kissing him sweetly on the lips. "Oh! You are freezing! Come sit by the fire, both of you! I've made some cocoa – I'll go and get it."

She headed into the kitchen to fetch the tray, lost in thoughts of how New Year's Eve would work. They could go together, certainly, and then Elsie presumed she'd head home … alone. She shook her head as she realized how lonely that would feel after the wedding weekend, and how she just had to be patient.

Elsie was startled out of her thoughts by Daisy, who sneaked up on her from behind and wrapped her waist in a hug.

"What's this?" Elsie exclaimed, looking down at the young girl. She brushed her hand over Daisy's head, wiping a few droplets of water as she did so.

But Daisy just shook her head and kept hugging, so Elsie placed her hand on Daisy's back and gave her a little return squeeze.

"Alright, then," she whispered, looking up as Charles silently appeared in the doorway.

She loves you, he mouthed.

I love her, Elsie returned silently, with a smile spreading across her face as she niggled her bottom lip yet again.

Charles just nodded his reply, watching as his two favorite girls crossed yet another threshold in the development of their new …

Family.

Wednesday, December 31

The party was in full swing when Elsie, Charles, and Daisy arrived. Charles popped open the back of his car and took out the box full of desserts that Elsie had packed up for the party.

"Beryl has all the appetizers and munchie stuff being catered, and Bill will man the bar, but everyone else in town brings some extra stuff to contribute. No one shows up empty-handed," she'd explained, "since most of the town stops by at one point or another."

"Elsie!" Phyllis's voice rang across the room, and she rushed over to wrap her friend in a hug. "How's your vacation going?"

"Pretty well," Elsie admitted, and she blushed as Phyllis gave her a knowing smile.

"Mine, too," she winked, linking her arm through Elsie's. "And how are the Carsons this evening?"

"Very well, Miss Baxter, thank you," Charles nodded. "Els, what can I get for you?"

"Wine would be lovely, thanks."

He headed off to do that at as Marigold rushed over.

"Daisy! Come on, Bertie's set up some games for us in the back."

Daisy looked up at Elsie in question, and Elsie nodded.

"Go ahead, I'll tell your Papa where to find you."

Daisy smiled and ran off, and Elsie turned to find Phyllis staring at her oddly.

"What?"

Phyllis hesitated, then shook her head a bit and smiled softly. "It's just … well, she's certainly comfortable with you, isn't she?"

Elsie sighed. "I do hope so," she admitted.

"Things going that well?" Phyllis ventured. "It's alright if you don't want to say. It's just that I don't think I've ever seen you this …"

"Confused?" Elsie asked wryly. "Indecisive? Out of place?"

"No," Phyllis answered with another smile. "Smitten."

Elsie raised an eyebrow at her just as a glass of Chardonnay appeared at her elbow.

"Oh! Thank you," she said to Charles.

"Did I miss something important?" he asked. "It looked rather serious over here."

"Oh, I was just telling Elsie how wonderful she looks," Phyllis fibbed. "That scarf is lovely, Elsie."

"Thank you," she answered with a smile in Charles's direction. "It was a very thoughtful gift from someone special this Christmas."

Phyllis returned the smile. "Alright, I'm off to find Joseph before he discovers that there's a huge bowl of rum punch at the bar. See you around," she said, kissing Elsie on the cheek.

"Why do I get the feeling she was lying to me?" Charles asked.

"Because you're too smart for your own good," she replied, putting her hand on his waist and giving him a chaste kiss to the chin. "Let's walk around and visit a bit, hm?"

Charles nodded, not sure of whether or not Elsie meant that as a couple, but she wrapped her arm around his back, underneath his jacket, and hooked her thumb slightly over the waistband of his trousers, and he figured that was answer enough.

They meandered over to the bar to chat with Bill and Beryl for a bit, and Elsie slipped into the kitchen a couple of times to assist the caterers when they had questions and Beryl was too busy to get in there. But, overall, the party was quite fun and relaxed. Tables had been pushed to the edges of the restaurant, and a makeshift dance floor was taking up most of the middle. As Marigold had indicated, Bertie had turned the servers' station into a game and coloring area for the children, and Elsie spied something that looked very much like apple bobbing being set up in a corner.

As the night drew on, the DJ's choice of music moved from what Charles referred to as 'those horrid club sounds' to things a bit more suited to the older half of the crowd, working in a few tunes by Elton John, Sinatra, Streisand, and more. Charles headed up to put in a request, and was told they'd try to squeeze it in. When he returned to Elsie's side she raised an eyebrow at him in question, but he just smirked and shook his head at her, and then reveled as she tossed her head back and laughed loudly at his secrecy.

"I'll be back in a moment," Elsie murmured a few minutes later, laying a hand on his forearm and squeezing lightly. He nodded, and she headed over to where the kids were playing, making sure Daisy was still having fun and noting that a few other children from the school were there, including Jimmy and, to her surprise, Tommy Barrow.

"Hello, gentlemen. I didn't expect to see you here," she said, smiling at them.

Jimmy was about to give her some flip reply, she could see it on his face, but Tommy beat him to the punch.

"It's a good party, Ms. Hughes," he said. "Jimmy's mum convinced mine to come along, so here we are. Will I see you next week?" he asked, ignoring the strange look he got from Jimmy.

"You bet," she answered, smiling at them both before making her way to the ladies' room.

"What was that about?" Jimmy enquired.

"I'm helping out on her farm," Tommy answered, a hint of pride in his voice. "She's nice when you get to know her. Hey, look," he added, looking across the room to see their mothers sucking down what seemed like their umpteenth drinks. "C'mon, let's see how they are," he added quietly. Jimmy saw where he was looking and cringed.

"Yeah."

Elsie flushed the toilet and readjusted her dress before stepping out of the stall.

"Well, well, fancy meeting you here, Elsie."

"Mary … Happy New Year." She reached for the soap and washed her hands, meeting the younger woman's steely gaze in the mirror as she scrubbed them clean.

"Seems like it will be for you," Mary quipped.

Elsie raised her eyebrows, but refused to give into the bait.

"Got him wrapped around your little finger, don't you?"

Elsie smiled and shook her head as she rinsed her hands and shut off the faucet. "I don't have the faintest idea what you're getting at, Mary."

"Right. Rich Englishman arrives in Misty Cove, moves in next door, and you just can't keep away, can you? You just sneaked your way into his life and he was none the wiser until it was too late."

"I don't think so, Mary. Your uncle has got a mind of his own, in case you never noticed."

Mary continued on as if Elsie hadn't even spoken. "A tall, dark, handsome widower, with a gorgeous little daughter to boot. Isn't that just convenient … for … you."

"Excuse me?" Elsie fumed. "Where in the hell do you get off –"

"You know exactly what I mean," Mary spat, cutting her off.

"I can't believe you!" Elsie gasped, stunned and yet, in the back of her mind, maybe not that surprised at all.

"He let Auntie Alice walk all over him, never said a word about how she was treating him, treating Daisy, ignoring them both. Dear Auntie Alice and all those 'late-night meetings' she had," she added spitefully. "He could have been free of her years ago if he hadn't been too blind to see it."

Elsie stood a bit straighter, suddenly seeing Mary Carlisle clearly for the first time.

"Like you, you mean, don't you, Mary?" she said quietly. "You could be free of that, too, you know."

"Oh, how dare you," Mary almost growled.

"How dare you, you spoiled little bitch!" Elsie flung back. "If you have a problem with me, some kind of actual concern that goes further than making sure you're not the only one in your family who gets to walk around in some sad cloud of loneliness, then take it up with your uncle. If not, then at least leave me the hell alone. I can't abide sneakiness, Mary, and I sure as shit don't have to take it from you."

She crumpled up the towel that she'd been mindlessly shredding, tossed it in the bin, and walked out the door, leaving a stunned Mary Carlisle in her wake.

"Elsie?" Charles said, rushing to her side as she exited the restroom corridor. He could see and feel the fury steaming off of her. "What's the matter?"

Just then, Mary walked out the door … and straight into them both. He saw Elsie bite furiously on her lip, to the point he thought she'd draw blood, and he reached out and took her hand, attempting to soothe her by rubbing his thumb over the back of it slowly.

"Uncle Charlie!" Mary said, a bit too brightly ... and he just knew.

"Mary?" he asked. He adored Mary, goodness knew he saw kindness and fragility inside of her that few people did, but he had been forced to acknowledge on more than one occasion over the years that she could be intentionally cruel at times, too.

"What?" she answered, staring him down. "Elsie and I just had a little chat. We're fine now, aren't we, Els?"

"Don't ever call me that," Elsie seethed. "And I'm perfectly fine, thank you."

Charles could see the electricity between them as if it were a true live wire. And then his ear picked up on a change in the tempo of the music being played, and he smiled as he recognized the approaching end of the current song.

"Let's dance," he said suddenly to Elsie, smiling softly at her. He turned to Mary and added, "You'll excuse us, please … I'm off to dance with my lovely lady, and I have been assured by the DJ that my request is next."

Elsie let him lead her away, mustering all the self-control she had not to turn and shoot one last glance at his niece.

"I don't know what you see in that one, I have to say," she murmured as he swept her into his arms.

"She's not fond of you, I can see that," he chuckled. "But I wouldn't take it personally. Mary's not fond of most people."

"Except you," Elsie whispered. "She believes I'm not good enough for you – which could very well be true, I admit. I did tell her that you're a big boy and can make your own decisions … well, maybe not in so many words," she admitted shyly.

"Well, thank you for that," he said, "but I can assure you, you are more than good enough for me."

Just then, the song changed.

"You requested this song?" she asked with a smile. "My, my … you're full of surprises, Mr. Carson. I expected Sinatra, or something along those lines, I'll admit."

"I'm glad I've managed to surprise you, Ms. Hughes," he answered, a seductive rumble in his voice almost melting her instantly.

"Mm," Elsie agreed, closing her eyes and allowing the love she felt for this wonderful man to just envelop her completely.

He tipped up her chin and placed a lingering kiss to her lips, then drew her closer to his chest as he hummed along with the music, noting after a few long seconds that she finally relaxed against him.

Look at this face,

I know the years are showing.

Look at this life

I still don't know where it's going.

I don't know much but I know I love you.

That may be all I need to know.

She raised her head again and traced her thumb along the creases by his eye, allowing her own eyes to drink in his features and her fingertips to graze through the hair at his temple as the music continued. She was vaguely aware that they were barely dancing anymore, but she didn't really care. There were enough other couples on the dance floor that it didn't matter, no one would really be watching them.

And when I feel you near me,

Sometimes I see so clearly.

The only truth I'll never know is me and you.

Look at this man so blessed with inspiration.

Look at this soul still searching for salvation.

I don't know much but I know I love you.

That may be all I need to know.

Mary watched her Uncle Charlie from her spot at the bar, seeing how completely and utterly in love he truly appeared to be. She wanted to simultaneously thank and throttle Elsie Hughes, and she knew exactly why: the woman, barely knowing Mary from a hole in the wall, had identified in a few short sentences everything that was wrong with Mary's life. Not even her family had picked up on that.

No, she amended, Granny knows … and a lot of good that's doing me with her across the goddamn ocean.

"One more," she said to Bill, who wisely kept his mouth shut as he poured her another shot of Scotch. She downed it in one, nodded her thanks, and pushed herself away from the bar and toward the front door.

As she was reaching into her handbag for her car keys, she felt a gentle hand upon her arm.

"May I?" Tom Branson asked, holding out his hand, and she closed her eyes and nodded.

"Why the hell not?" she answered tiredly, handing him her keys. "You know which one is mine."

"How could I forget?" he asked with a smirk. "It's the only Jag in Misty Cove. I'll pull it up to the door … just be a moment."

"Five minutes to go!" Beryl shouted into the microphone. "Everyone find a glass of champagne – there's ginger ale for the littles – and someone to kiss!" she added cheekily.

Daisy came running over to Charles and hugged him, yawning widely and rubbing at her eyes with her fists, the late hour having totally caught up with her.

"I'll get some drinks," Elsie said. She returned with two flutes of champagne in one hand and one plastic flute of ginger ale and passed them around.

"A toast," Charles said, squatting down to Daisy's level and indicating for Elsie to do the same.

"Oh, it's quieter down here," Elsie joked to Daisy. "No wonder you like it so much," she added, and Daisy giggled.

"Here's to a wonderful New Year for us all," he said, looking specifically at Daisy. "To good changes, to new friends, and to many wonderful years here in Misty Cove."

"And family," Daisy added, touching her glass to his.

"Yes," he said softly, glancing to Elsie and clinking his flute against hers. "That, too."

She blushed, but Charles didn't notice as he was already trying to stand back up for the countdown.

"…Five! … Four! … Three! … Two! … One! … HAPPY NEW YEAR!" everyone shouted, and William and Ivy pulled out two confetti cannons, shooting them off simultaneously as an explosion of festive, colored paper rained down on everyone.

Charles bent down for a hug and a kiss from Daisy, then swept Elsie into his side with one arm.

"Happy New Year, Charles," she said quietly, her shy smile and brilliant eyes taking his breath away.

"Happy New Year," he replied, leaning over to kiss her and briefly allowing his tongue to graze over hers.

Elsie reveled in the warmth his kiss provided and, after a few seconds, she felt Daisy's arms wrap around her waist in a hug as she heard the crowd begin to sing a muddled rendition of Auld Lang Syne.

It really doesn't get any better than this, she thought.

A/N #2: I should mention that I am NOT a Tom/Mary shipper, and that is in NO way where that little tidbit is headed. Figured I'd nip that in the bud ... but figured that, given the history of the characters involved, Mary shouldn't take off in a drunken stupor while driving her own car. But if I was going to let ANY of them drive her Jaguar, it was Tom. xx