A/N: So, here we are. These next couple chapters are what I think of as "gentle" and not "overly dramatic." Not a bad thing, and lots of informative stuff coming but, as one of you pointed out, recovery IS boring and it IS maddening and it IS slow-going, and I am trying to show that here. However, there ARE those little things to tie up ... the little, happy moments amidst all of Elsie's down time, too. :)

Special shout-outs to my besties, who answer my relentless messages and texts, who proofread faithfully, who listen to me grumble and offer words of encouragement and support when I'm going, "Eh ... I don't like how this is going." I love you guys, and am truly blessed to have you. MWAH

To the kind souls who dropped loveliness in my PM inbox here this weekend, thank you. You have no idea how timely those messages were.

Fluff ahead - please enjoy, and leave a quick review at the end if you feel so inclined. xx

CSotA

Saturday, March 14, 2015 - italics below from the Thursday previous ...

The next week and a half went much the same – a bit of grouchiness here and there, mixed in with an inordinate amount of sleep. Elsie had put her 'Girls' Day' with Isobel off for a week, scheduling it for today instead of a week previous, because Daisy would be at Edith's for a sleepover. In the meantime, there had been visits with Beryl and Anna, a check-up with Isobel, and one trip back to the hospital for a follow-up with Dr. Clarkson (which, much to Elsie's relief, Isobel attended as the bearer of good news in the 'Elsie's progress' department) ...

"I'm pleased to hear things are going well," the doctor told them. "And you're wearing the brace all the time, correct?"

"Yes, whenever I'm not in the shower or asleep, just like you said." Elsie noticed Dr. Clarkson give a sideways glance to Isobel, who nodded.

"Excellent. Alright, let's get you out of it and see what's what."

The next few moments were spent with Elsie undoing the brace, something at which she had become quite adept, and Isobel helping her onto the exam table as Dr. Clarkson washed his hands.

"Hmm," he said, feeling the area for swelling. "This looks remarkably good," he added. "How's the pain been, on a scale of one to ten?"

"When you press on it like that?" Elsie asked with a grimace. "Seven. Otherwise, when I'm in the brace and just moving about the house, it's about a three."

"She's been off the pain meds for a while now," Isobel added.

"Remarkable – I'm impressed, Elsie."

"It helps that you can't move around much in your sleep," Isobel said, smirking.

Elsie shot her a scathing look, realizing as she did so that she was blushing.

"What's this?" Dr. Clarkson asked.

"Charles is sleeping with her," Isobel volunteered, ignoring Elsie's eye roll. "Keeping her from moving around in her sleep, she claims."

"I think that's an excellent idea," he replied, much to both women's surprise.

"Really?" Elsie piped up, no longer embarrassed.

"Absolutely. You're used to sleeping with him, I presume? It likely makes you more comfortable, more at ease, and better able to sleep deeply."

Elsie smiled triumphantly. "That it does, which is why I suggested it originally. And he's warm as anything, which has actually helped with my leg. I call him my personal hot water bottle."

Dr. Clarkson laughed out loud. "Whatever works, Elsie." Then he thought of something, and raised an eyebrow. "As long as you're only sleeping in that bed, then I think it's a terrific idea."

"We are," she whispered, painfully avoiding Isobel's gaze.

"Alright," he chuckled. "Just checking. None of that until you've started PT. Too much trauma to the lower back."

"Will that be all?" Elsie asked, thoroughly done with the turn their conversation had taken.

Dr. Clarkson entered another note into the computer, then logged off. "Yes, that's it. Your progress is most impressive; you're done with your round of steroids and off the painkillers. You have a healthy appetite, yes? And are keeping hydrated?"

Elsie nodded. "Generally, yes. Charles has had to force me to eat or have a protein shake at times, but I'm getting my three squares and a ton of water. I'm a pro at using the loo by myself now," she said, half-joking.

"Ha – excellent! Alright, then. I leave you to Dr. Crawley's outstanding care for another two weeks. Next time I see you, you'll be almost out of the brace and will have started PT."

"Thank you, Doctor," Elsie said, sliding gently off the bed.

"Are you all set to get your blouse and brace back on by yourself? I'd like to chat with Dr. Crawley for a moment, if you don't mind."

"Oh, I'm fine – she's all yours," Elsie replied with a knowing smile. She took a small amount of pride in the flush that appeared on Isobel's cheeks, having guessed a while ago how attractive Isobel found the local doctor.

Dr. Clarkson opened the door and extended his arm. "After you," he said, motioning for Isobel to pass through ...

As Elsie thought back to that day, she realized she'd never asked Isobel about the meeting. Once she'd gotten dressed and out of the room, Isobel had been waiting by the check-out desk, and by the time they'd set up a follow-up appointment and had gotten back to the car, Elsie had been exhausted and had actually fallen asleep on the ride home. She still couldn't believe how tired she was all the time, given the fact that she was literally lying around doing nothing instead of doing farm chores half the day.

"Isobel?" Elsie called from the living room. "You don't have to clean my entire kitchen today, you know. That wasn't the point of us having a day to spend together - at least, it's not how you billed it when you suggested it!"

Isobel's laugh sounded across the open space. "I'm not! I'm just washing up the dishes from the cookies I made. Give me a minute. Have you heard from Charles?"

"No," Elsie replied, checking her phone. "I'm sure he's busy, though, getting it all done," she added with a sigh and a smile. Charles had been banished to the beach house to finish packing the belongings that he and Daisy would be moving to the farm, and while it was odd that he'd not been in touch, Elsie attributed it to the fact that she was home under Isobel's careful watch.

"There, all done." Isobel wiped her hands on a towel as she came in.

Elsie gave her a sweet smile, which immediately had Isobel suspicious.

"I've been meaning to ask you something," Elsie began, and she noted gleefully that Isobel's gaze landed on the floor in front of her, her lips pursed as though she refused to speak.

"Mm?"

"Oh, please," Elsie said extra sweetly, patting the sofa cushion beside her. "Here, have a seat."

Isobel closed her eyes briefly and shook her head. "I know what this is about, Elsie."

"Oh, come here and humor me. And then, afterwards, I may even embarrass you."

"Oh, how enticing you've made it sound!" Isobel laughed, obeying Elsie's request and sitting beside her. "What, pray tell, would you like to ask?"

"When's the date?"

Isobel's eyebrows flew up. "Date? What date?"

"The one you'd damn well better have set up with Richard Clarkson. That date."

Isobel just shook her head. "I don't know what you mean," she said, her hands clutched tightly around the towel in her lap.

"Bullshit," Elsie uttered. "I saw you together out in the corridor of that hospital before I exited the room. He touched your arm, Isobel – I saw it. The man doesn't touch anyone unless it's a patient. I've seen him in mixed company, he's just not effusive in that way. He likes you."

Isobel turned her gaze on her friend, and a sadness passed over her face. "I like him, too," she said. "And I've no business doing so."

"Why not?"

"Elsie," Isobel sighed, exasperated. "I'm going back eventually, back to my job, my home. You know, the life I have an ocean away? Where would that leave us?"

"In a long-distance relationship until one of you retires?" Elsie suggested.

"No, I'm sorry," Isobel replied, "but I can't do that to him. It's completely unfair!"

"Did you ask him what he thought?"

"He knows I'm returning," she admitted, "because it was the reason I turned him down."

"So he did ask you out!" Elsie exclaimed. "I knew it!"

"He did, and I said 'no'," Isobel reiterated. "Because it's not fair to date a man for a month or so and then leave him high and dry."

"Do you have to go back?" Elsie enquired softly.

"Sorry? Of course I do."

"Why? I don't mean to sound rude, Isobel, but we both know you don't need the job. What keeps you there? Who's managing it now?"

"Well, I only work part-time really, so it was easy to have one of the attendings cover my shifts while I'm here. But I can't just up and leave forever, Elsie. It's … it would be too much," she said quietly.

"I see," was all Elsie said. "Well, that's too bad."

Isobel fiddled with the towel in her lap. "It is," she said sadly. "He's a very nice man, and judging from the conversations we had by your bedside as you lay sleeping, we have a great deal in common."

Elsie thought of something. "Isobel … you've not always been single." It was a statement, not a question, something she'd heard in passing when she and Isobel had met but something which Elsie realized now she knew very little about.

The older woman smiled sadly. "No. I was married, once, to a lovely man. We had a son – Matthew. He died unexpectedly three years ago, and his father had passed five years before him. I used to have my own little family, and then, in two blinks of an eye, they were gone."

Three years ago … "And that's why you're so close to Violet and the others now, I presume?"

"Mm-hm. They're the only family I have left, really."

"And us, now," Elsie said quietly, reaching out and clasping Isobel's hand in hers.

"And you," Isobel answered gratefully. "Well, once you've made it official."

Elsie blushed scarlet, and Isobel gasped softly. "Elsie, don't tell me that's happening soon? Has he proposed?"

"Yes," Elsie admitted. "But we've not told the family, although Edith guessed from Charles last week. Daisy knows, and she's allowed to speak about it with Marigold, and we told Becky. But that's all. Please don't tell anyone, Isobel. As it is, Beryl and Anna will be furious with me if they know Edith found out first!"

"I shall say nothing, it's your news to share. And for what it's worth, I think it's wonderful! Charles being extraordinarily happy is the best thing for that little girl," Isobel observed, "and you make him happy. It's quite simple, really."

"Is it? This from the woman who won't leave a job she doesn't need to stay here with a man who could quite easily fall in love with her? I see."

Isobel squeezed Elsie's hand, having just realized she was still holding it. "It's not the same, and you know it. You're both here, you're perfect for each other. Daisy came into your life needing something, something that I sense you were in a unique position to provide. Evidently Charles thought so, too, and the chemistry and love between you is … well, undeniable. It would be ridiculous for you not to pursue that, to make the most of it. Completely different from my story, my dear."

"Perhaps," Elsie acknowledged, "but I still think you should have dinner with the man, see where it goes."

"Perhaps," Isobel said, mimicking her with a smirk. "Now, what was this other thing you wanted to talk about … as if I didn't know?"

"Oh … um, well …" Elsie stammered. It occurred to her she'd lost all her courage, and no longer wanted to ask anything at all, but she knew Isobel wouldn't stand for it.

"Yes?" Isobel sat back and crossed her arms across her chest, waiting.

"Well, it's been almost a month now since the accident, and I'm healing really well," Elsie began.

"Yes, you are. The doctor confirms it, and I know you've much more mobility than you had before."

"Quite so. And it's that mobility I wanted to discuss with you," Elsie murmured.

"I thought it might be."

"Right. So, I'm out of this brace in another couple weeks, we think. I know he'd said eight weeks initially, but he said six is more likely if I'm good until then, if I take it easy, and if I do all of my physical therapy as required. And the leg is back to normal."

"Thankfully."

"Erm, yes, thankfully." Elsie looked up at Isobel, who saw the look on her face and laughed as she leaned forward so that Elsie would hear her voice clearly.

"I think," she whispered, "that you should be fine in another couple weeks, once you've built up some strength in PT, if you're, you know, on top."

"Oh, my God," Elsie whispered, covering her face with her hands. "I cannot believe you just said that."

"How else am I supposed to explain it? You asked! Well, you didn't actually ask, but let's face it – you two must be going absolutely bonkers not having done anything for a month. I mean, come on!"

Elsie peered through her fingers, her face burning so much she thought she must be steaming. "Well, we have … done things," she whispered.

"Ha!" Isobel shouted. "Good for you! Where there's a will, there's a way?"

"Something like that," Elsie muttered.

"But not in the bed, Elsie, please tell me you will listen to Richard in that regard," Isobel said seriously, not realizing she'd referred to the doctor with his given name.

"No," Elsie said, nibbling her lip, "we've been … upright and … Oh, hell, I'm not giving you the details! You're worse than Beryl, do you know that?"

Isobel laughed gleefully. "Oh, Elsie, I am happy for you though. I wondered how it was you weren't killing one another by the end of every day, but that does explain it."

She looked at her new friend fondly, and gave her a caring smile. "I must say, it's rather sweet the way he looks at you, Elsie."

"Like he wants to have me for dinner?" Elsie whispered, nodding. "Yes, I've warned him about that before."

Isobel cocked her head and laughed a bit. "Sometimes, yes," she said softly. "But usually, it's just love that we can see. He absolutely adores you, Elsie. More than I think even you know, and more than I think you ever see yourself."

But Elsie shook her own head, her hair bouncing softly around her face. "No, that's where you're wrong, Isobel. I do see it. Every day, every minute, every time. I've never felt anything like it in my life."

"And that's why you want to marry him."

"No," Elsie replied. "I want to marry him because it's also how I feel about him. As though I'll never be this happy ever again without him."

"Well, then, there you have it. A match made in heaven."

Elsie's smile reappeared, widening as she thought about it. "That's true," she replied. "Very, very true."

"Just be careful – and, you know … relatively immobile."

"We never had this conversation, Isobel."

"What conversation?" Isobel asked, patting Elsie's hand and giving her a slight wink.

At that moment, Charles came up the stairs from the basement, his feet clad only in socks.

"I'm home, and everyone's fed," he announced, heading to the sink to wash his hands. "The water had a thin layer of ice on it, so I turned up the heat a few degrees in the barn – I hope that's okay," he said.

"Perfect, thank you," Elsie replied, leaning up as he came in to kiss her.

"What have you girls been up to?" he asked, and Isobel giggled. Charles looked at her strangely; he didn't think he'd ever heard her giggle.

"Just chatting," Elsie said, a beautiful smile on her otherwise exhausted face.

"I see," he answered hesitantly. "And should I ask about what?"

Isobel shook her head. "No," she snickered, "absolutely not!"

"Right," he said, his ears turning bright red as he figured out precisely what they'd been discussing. "Well, then, I'm headed in to shower. Unless you need anything at the moment?"

Elsie bit her lip again and shook her head. "Nope. Not yet, anyhow," she muttered, and winked at him.

Charles flushed furiously, and turned to walk away before Isobel noticed.

"So, Daisy's meeting is finally happening Monday?" Elsie asked. She and Charles were snuggled up in bed, trying to catch up on the business of the day.

"Yes, thankfully. Although I have to say, it was thoughtful of Phyllis to reschedule it given what we've had going on. Oh, and I forgot to tell you, Tommy called."

"Oh, good! Can he come by this week?"

"He can. I'll bring him Tuesday, pick him up at school when I get Daisy. You should call Anna, tell her to expect him, maybe make a list of things he can do?" he suggested, and she nodded.

"Yes, we talked about that before," Elsie said. "If he can come two days a week, that would be amazing."

"He said he'll come three, if you'll have him. I told him that was a likely yes."

"It's a resounding yes! I'm sure he could use the work, and we certainly could use the help."

"Yes, well, his mother should call you tomorrow or Monday to iron it out, but I doubt she'll have any complaints … not from what he said, anyhow."

"Hm," Elsie murmured, "I don't suppose she will. I must say, things do seem better with them lately."

"Well, the father's not coming back, is he?" Charles asked softly. "So that has to be good."

Elsie knew he was right, but she really needed a change of topic. "So, you're all packed?"

Charles turned to his side and snuggled closer up to her, his arm draped over her abdomen. "Mm-hm," he said, kissing her shoulder. "Boxes are piled in the living room for now. Thankfully the furniture is all Mary's, except for the piano, and she's happy to keep that there for the time being. We'll figure out where to put it all when you feel better, though. I took all of the clothes with me, but I'll have to get them out of the car tomorrow," he added with a yawn. "I forgot once I finished in the barn."

"I'm glad you managed to get it all packed," she said, absentmindedly trailing her fingers over his arm and shoulder as he laid his head on her chest. "I can't wait until you're just here for good, and I don't mind saying it."

She felt his smile on her skin, the upturned cheek and slight stubble against the edge of her nightgown.

"Neither can we. So, Elsie, tell me … Isobel. How was your day?"

"Wonderful. We watched a sappy, romantic movie and painted our nails, and she made me chocolate chip cookies," she said, showing him her manicure. "It was like being sixteen - and it was fun, and I needed it more than I thought," she admitted.

"What did you watch?"

"Fried Green Tomatoes," she replied. She could practically feel him roll his eyes. "Don't even," she warned. "There were reasons I kicked you out, and that was one of them."

"I will have you know I've seen that one, and I even enjoyed it."

"Really? Will wonders never cease?" she teased.

"So, lots of boy talk?" he teased, but she surprised him.

"There was. It appears our local doctor does, indeed, have a soft spot for our Yorkshire friend."

"Oh, that's too bad," he murmured, raising himself up on his elbow so he could see her as they spoke.

"Well, perhaps not."

"Elsie, love, you know she's going back. That's not really fair to him, is it?"

"Yes, so she said. But you know she doesn't have to go back. I mean, she could move here …"

"Els, no. Isobel isn't you, or me. She's … Well, it may not be the right time," he said hesitantly.

"She told me about Matthew," she whispered. "And I can understand how she doesn't want to leave them there, leave it all behind. And yet, she sounds as though she's considered it. I think they should go out on a date and then she can decide."

"My little matchmaker," he said, kissing the tip of her nose.

"Well, we're happy," she explained, "so I want everyone else to be, too."

"We are happy, aren't we?" Charles stared at her for a moment, then leaned over for a long, lingering kiss. When they broke apart, he whispered, "I have a surprise for you."

"Oh?"

He scrambled out of the bed and fetched his coat from the rack in the hallway. As he came back into the bedroom, Elsie saw him fishing something out of the coat's large pocket before he sat in the chair by the bed.

"I saw it, and I couldn't believe how perfect it was … It was nothing like what I went in search of but, when I saw it, I couldn't resist. It's us."

"Charlie?" Elsie asked, thoroughly confused. "What are you on about?"

"Well, I may not have spent the entire day at the beach house."

He opened his hand and held out a small, black, velvet box. He cracked open the lid and heard her astonished gasp.

"Elsie, will you really marry me? Make it official, do it properly? Tell everyone?"

She was speechless as she stared at the ring that resided in the box. After a few moments she managed to close her mouth and look at Charles, trying to wrap her head around the box's contents.

Set in the velvet holder was the most exquisite ring Elsie had ever laid eyes on. The center was a pearl, not a diamond, and it was surrounded by six small emeralds - three above the pearl and three below - with two large amethyst stones on either side of the pearl. She reached her hand out slowly, realizing it was shaking, and took the box from his hand.*

"It is us," she whispered, tears falling from the corners of her eyes down onto the pillow. "I mean it's really us, Charlie."

"It is. I'm glad you see it, too. I was afraid you'd be disappointed …" he said sheepishly.

"Disappointed? How could I be?" she said, wiping at her eyes. "How old is this ring?"

"It dates back to the late 1880s," he told her. "Which is why I wasn't sure if I should get it. I had this image of what I wanted when I walked in, which was nothing like this particular ring. Edith recommended the jeweler, said he could craft anything I wanted if I didn't find what I was looking for. But he had this small section of antique jewelry, and I had to look. It was the first one I laid eyes on, and the symbolism of it was too great to ignore."

Elsie examined the ring again, brushing the fingers over the stones. The pearl in the center was her birthstone - June ninth, she remembered telling him that on their first date. The pearl was surrounded as though in an embrace by the diminutive emeralds - Daisy's birthstone - and the two large amethysts, representative of Charles and his February birthday.

He removed it from the box. Elsie extended her hand and he slipped the ring over her finger, holding his breath in fear that he'd misjudged her ring size; having been afraid to ask and ruin the surprise, he'd put a string to another ring in her jewelry box one afternoon when she'd been asleep, measuring as precisely as he could.

He hadn't misjudged, of course; it fit perfectly.

Elsie held up her hand and examined the ring on her finger - it looked incredible, and she couldn't have been happier. She reached her hand out to cup his cheek and he turned his head a bit to kiss her palm.

"Yes," she said at last. "Yes, I will marry you. For real, and please let's tell everyone tomorrow! Isobel already guessed," she admitted, blushing.

"Well, Edith did, too, so that's only fair," Charles said, taking up her hand. "And we can tell everyone whenever you want. I'd like to call Robert first, though, and let them know. You can decide about the people in Misty Cove. Beryl will kill you for not telling her first," he added, and she laughed.

"She'll be fine," Elsie chuckled. "But I'll tell her tomorrow, I think. She's supposed to stop by after church."

"Good." He got up from the chair and back into the bed.

"I love you, you know," Elsie said, running her fingers through his hair.

"Mm," he said, kissing her once again. "Elsie?"

"What?"

"What else did you and Isobel discuss?" he asked.

"Wouldn't you like to know?"

"How long?" he asked hopefully, and she laughed.

"Another couple weeks, but only if we're extraordinarily careful," she said, reaching out to caress his back as he leaned over her. "Once I start PT, and have some muscle built back up, and can manage to … well, sit more comfortably?"

His eyes lit up, and she laughed. "Yes, Charlie, like that."

"Excellent," he said, a roguish look on his face. "I'll look forward to it."

"Mm, me too," Elsie said.

Charles reached over to shut off the light, then tucked himself back around her.

"This alright?" he asked, and she nodded as he held her in his arms as best he could without pulling on her body. He reached over and kissed the hair at her temple.

"Yes, it's wonderful. Good night, love."

He kissed her one last time before tucking his head in over her shoulder. "Good night, Els."

*The ring's picture can be seen on my tumblr - just find my username, chelsiesouloftheabbey, same as here. x