A/N: Many thanks to you all for the amazing reviews you're leaving for this story! I won't keep you hanging on that phone message - it's where we start in this update.

The house described herein is a real property for sale in southern Maine. Photos can be found on my tumblr blog.

Disclaimer: Still not a police officer or an attorney - or a realtor, or a financial consultant, or a doctor. Willing suspension of disbelief applies if anything seems odd, although I did try to base this chapter on as many real life conversations as possible.

Thanks to brenna-louise for the proof! :) xxx

CSotA

August 9, 2015

"I'm going to nip into the loo while you get the bags," Elsie said, resting her hand on Charles's arm. He nodded and muttered something, already intent on locating their suitcases on the conveyor belt.

He's exhausted, she thought, smiling to herself as she headed for the ladies' room. Which makes two of us.

On her way back to baggage claim, Elsie pulled her phone out and took it off of airplane mode. Her notification light was blinking but she didn't recognize the missed call number, so she tapped the voicemail icon and put the phone to her ear.

Charles pulled the bags off of the belt and turned to find his wife, locating her after a few seconds and immediately noting that something wasn't right. He hurried over to her just in time to see her stagger; he reached out and caught her as she stumbled, preventing her from sliding to the floor.

"Elsie, what is it? Is it the children?"

She pulled the phone from her ear and tapped the number to replay the message, then handed it to him.

"Listen to this," she whispered. "And no, it's not the children."

He took the phone warily and did as she asked.

"Elsie, it's Willis. I'm sorry to bother you as I hear you're on honeymoon, but it couldn't wait. The date's been set for Sarah O'Brien's trial, finally. But she lawyered up after making her confession, and her attorney wants her confession overturned. And … I don't even pretend to understand this, but they want to speak to you, too … to have you testify on her behalf, I think. I wanted you to be prepared in case they come by your house. They'll subpoena you if you don't meet with them willingly. If I were you, I'd get an attorney as soon as you get back. Call me. And, Elsie? Congratulations. I'm sorry for the bad timing."

"Bloody hell," he whispered, his eyes widened as he handed the phone back. "Why would she ever want you as a witness?"

"Well," Elsie replied shakily, "maybe they're trying to prove some kind of diminished capacity? I have no idea. I do know that there's no fucking way I am helping that bitch."

He put his arm around her and pulled her close for a moment, placing a kiss to her head. She was trembling in his arms.

"Let's go home, love," he said. "Let's go home and hug the kids. We can bring them to dinner and then tuck in with a movie or something. You can call Willis back after all that, alright? Build up some strength first, I say."

She nodded. "You're right. And I've really missed the kids."

He smiled fondly at her. "Me, too, although I'd not give up the week we just had for anything in the world."

He placed one more kiss to her head and then took up the bags.

"Let's go home."

"Papa!"

Daisy ran down the walkway and into Charles's arms as he bent down to receive her exuberant hug.

"Oh, I've missed you," he whispered. "It's good to be home."

Tommy, on the other hand, hung back by the door, watching as Max bounded down the front steps toward them - first jumping on Elsie and licking her chin as she gave him a hug, and then running circles around both Elsie and Charles, as though trying to herd them back into the family unit. Tommy laughed when Max sat down and stared at him pointedly and barked, as if to say You, too! Come on!

"Alright, boy," Tommy said, heading over to the rest of the family. Elsie gave him a hug, and Charles joined them and clapped Tommy on the shoulder.

"Welcome home," Tommy said. "You guys look like you had a good week - lots of sun, yeah?"

"Yes, and it was marvelous," Elsie sighed. "The most work either of us had to do all week was to make dinner."

"Good. How are you feeling?"

Elsie felt Charles tense up beside her as she said, "Fine … Why do you ask?"

"Just wondering," Tommy shrugged. "You didn't seem like you were feeling very well before the wedding. Couldn't have been nerves, because you were too excited."

"Well, I'm fine now," Elsie said, reaching to pick up her bag again before heading into the house. "But thanks."

Charles watched as the kids and Max followed her in.

Better tell them sooner rather than later, he thought.

August 15, 2015

Elsie and Charles had spent their second week as a married couple discussing and beginning minor repairs and maintenance that the farm needed: paint here, some new trim there. They'd laughed about that one night, about how the first week of marriage was a blissful escape, but how the moment they'd returned it was business as usual.

Elsie was making a bit of progress with her therapy, although not as quickly as she hoped for. Still, though, she wasn't willing to take any sort of medication because of the baby, and at least she could now manage to walk into the barn - as long as Star and Scarlett were securely tucked into their stalls. Star was definitely the problem, and so Elsie had asked Anna and John to relocate Scarlett to a different stall at the other end of the row; this way, Elsie could enter the barn through the back door and Star would be out of her line of vision - and she, his. She was rather proud of herself that she'd managed to feed Scarlett a carrot just that morning … albeit with Tommy having held her hand as she'd done so.

"She's missed you," he'd said, and Elsie had smiled at him.

"Perhaps," she'd allowed. "She was always my girl, that one."

"You did a good job today," he'd added.

"Well," she'd whispered, "this is rather a role reversal, isn't it?"

Tommy had just smirked. "Whatever works, Elsie."

Elsie and Charles had decided that morning to tell the kids about the baby soon, and so Elsie had asked Anna to come by and see her this afternoon, in order to tell her first - privately. She wasn't sure how Anna would take the news, but once the kids knew there would be no keeping it secret any longer.

As though bidden by Elsie's thoughts, Anna's car pulled up the drive and she parked by the barn. As she alighted, Elsie met her outside and wrapped her in a hug.

"How are you?"

"Okay," Anna smiled. "You? I just saw you yesterday, so something must be up … I know you: plotter extraordinaire."

Elsie laughed. "Tommy, are you alright out here?" she called, and his reply came from somewhere inside of the barn.

"Sure thing. I'll feed them and put 'em out to exercise a bit, okay?"

"Thanks."

She led Anna to the back of the house. "I've set us up out back if that's alright. It's really lovely out today."

"Of course."

When they were seated with refreshments and relaxing by the pond, Anna turned to her friend.

"Alright, Elsie. What the hell is going on?"

Elsie chewed her lip as she stared into her lemonade, then set the glass on the table and looked up at Anna.

"Oh, my God," Anna whispered. "Don't tell me something awful, Elsie. Don't tell me you're sick, or that Charles is, or that anything is wrong with the kids."

Elsie's eyes flew open. "No! Nothing bad. Not … well, no. Nothing like what you've just asked."

Anna was visibly relieved. "Alright then, that's good."

"Yeah," Elsie whispered. She took a deep breath and steeled herself. "But I do have news."

"Okay," Anna said slowly, her brow furrowed. "And are you going to tell me this news today?"

"I'm pregnant," Elsie blurted quietly.

Anna's face showed myriad expressions in the span of about two seconds, but Elsie saw them all: shock, disbelief, a tinge of heartache, more surprise, and then joy.

"What? You're kidding! That's … remarkable! And wonderful!" Anna jumped up from her seat and gave Elsie a tight hug. "When?" she whispered into her ear.

"February."

"February? How long have you known?" She went back to her seat and waited for Elsie's reply.

Elsie looked at her hands, which she was now twisting in her lap. "Since the day we bought the dresses," she said softly. Looking up, she added, "Beryl guessed. Made me send Charlie for a test. We took it the next morning, and then Dr. Clarkson confirmed it. We didn't want to say until … well …"

But Anna understood only too well, as Elsie suspected she might.

"Oh, I get it," Anna said softly. "Because things don't always work out, do they?" She reached up and wiped at her eye, trying to chase away tears before they fell.

Elsie reached across the table and took her hand. "But sometimes, Anna, when you least expect it, they do."

Anna squeezed her hand and nodded. "I'm happy, Elsie. The idea will take some getting used to, but don't ever doubt that I'm so very happy for you all."

"I know."

Anna huffed out a laugh. "You're going to have to add on a bedroom!" she exclaimed.

"Shhh," Elsie warned quietly. "We've not told the kids yet, although we will soon. But we're not adding on to the farm, no."

"No? But how …" Anna gasped. "Oh, surely you're not moving? You love this place!"

"I do," Elsie agreed. "Which is why I'd never sell it."

"So what's your plan?"

"Well," Elsie said, smiling, "I was rather hoping that a lovely, younger couple who is in the market for a new place just might consider renting it. Know of any?"

Anna's smile lit up the entire patio.

"I just might at that," she giggled.

"Good," Elsie said. "Go home, then, and please feel free to tell John."

"When will you tell the kids? They'll figure it out eventually, obviously."

Elsie nodded. "I know. I think Tommy actually suspects something is up, and may have even figured it out by now."

"That wouldn't surprise me at all. He's observant, that one. Quiet, but always watching. And quick."

"Agreed. Well, one more week puts us around the end of the first trimester. We figured if all goes well until then, we'd be safe to mention it." She laughed. "Charlie's meeting with a realtor already - that's where he is now."

"Life changes a lot when you least expect it, doesn't it?" Anna mused.

"It sure does."

Dinner that night was uneventful, and Charles traded evening chores with the kids: animals for dishes. Both kids lit up at the idea and raced to be the first outside.

"Good call," Elsie said warmly, wrapping her arms around his waist as they stood by the sink. "I'll take dishes over lugging hay and water any day."

He chuckled, his voice rumbling through his chest to her ear. "You will, because you can't yet lift the hay bales or the water."

"Fair enough," she mumbled. "Still …"

He relinquished his hold on her and turned on the faucet, filling the sink and the casserole with hot, soapy water.

"So how'd it go today?" she asked him.

"Well … What would you say if I told you I've found us a house?" he asked.

She laughed, then realized he was serious. "Wait. You're not kidding."

He shook his head slowly. "I'm not, as it happens. I think it's perfect."

"And whereabouts is this 'perfect property?'"

Charles looked up from the sink to see that Elsie's lips were pressed together tightly, and he hadn't missed the annoyance in her voice.

"I've not purchased it, Els. Please don't be like that. But it's a lovely listing, and I think we should go see it tomorrow."

"Tomorrow?"

"Yes," he replied, rinsing the dish he'd been scrubbing. He handed it over to her, and she dried it as he explained. "The listing is new, but the owners aren't quite ready to move just yet. They're building something upstate and need another three or four months to finish. The realtor - whose name is Napier, by the way; nice chap - showed me the listing when I explained a bit about what our needs are."

"And what, precisely, are those needs?"

Charles drained the sink and dried his hands, licking his lips as he cautiously formed his reply.

"The same ones we discussed while on honeymoon: large kitchen, library and office, bedrooms for each of the kids so that no one shares, and a nice piece of property."

He folded the towel and placed it on the counter before turning to face her. "Els? Love, what is it? I'm sorry if I shocked you … I didn't mean to."

"No, it's not that," she said quietly, shaking her head before looking up at him. She saw the wary look in his eyes and regretted putting it there. "I think I just expected we'd begin looking together, you know? It's nothing to worry about, honestly. I just felt a bit … excluded, perhaps?"

He moved to place a kiss to her forehead. "I'm sorry," he said gently. "It was just the timing of it all. Napier had a good listing that had just come in and it matched what I told him we'd discussed. I set up an appointment for us to see him tomorrow, since Tommy wants to spend the day at the Kents' place and Daisy's going over to Edith's. You'll like him, I think. I only wanted you to meet him, but he said he'd get us in to see the place if you were amenable."

"We're in no rush though, are we?"

"Of course not," he assured her. "We don't even have to move before February, but it would be easier if we did."

"I know."

"Say, did you talk to Anna about the farm, or just the baby?"

Elsie turned to head into the living room; he followed, snuggling up with her on the couch.

"Both. She was thrilled, about all of it. Well, as thrilled as she can be, at any rate."

"So, no baby yet on that front?" he asked gently, shifting her so that he could pull her feet onto his lap and rub them.

"Ohh, thank you, love … that's wonderful … Um, no. No baby yet. Although I got the feeling it may have happened once, but …"

"Oh, no," he murmured, his face showing his sorrow. "And she'd not said anything about it before, surely?"

Elsie shook her head. "No, but it's not always the thing one talks about, really."

He tilted his head in acknowledgement of that, not really knowing what to say.

They heard the screen door in the basement slam shut and two sets of feet come bounding up the stairs.

"They're all set!" Daisy called as she crested the top of the staircase. "I'm going to read."

"That's fine; thank you," Elsie said, smiling. "How about you, Tommy?"

The boy plopped down in the armchair, resting his feet on the coffee table. "I dunno," he shrugged. "Probably play a few video games before bed, I guess."

"What time are you expected at the Kents' tomorrow?" Charles asked.

"Um, ten, I think? If that's alright? I can ride my bike over if you like."

"No," Elsie said, "that should work fine. Daisy's due at Edith's around then; we'll just drop you off first."

"Thanks." He got up and headed to his room, grabbing a glass of water on the way.

Charles leaned over to whisper in Elsie's ear. "I can't wait to tell them."

"Neither can I. Because when we do, it'll mean this first hurdle is over, and that things are still progressing along as they should be, and that this baby is growing and healthy."

Charles turned the TV on and stumbled across a documentary he'd been waiting to see. He raised an eyebrow at Elsie, who just nodded as she maneuvered her body so that she was lying down, using his leg as a pillow.

"Fine by me," she said, yawning.

Charles rubbed his hand up and down her arm, hearing her sigh pleasantly just before she drifted off to sleep, the day's excitement and fresh air having caught up with her once again.

The following morning proved to be an easy one. The kids were up early and showered, each ready for a day away from the farm. Charles made breakfast with some help from Daisy, and Tommy tended to the horses while Elsie headed out to feed the chickens and collect any eggs that could be found.

On her way back in, Elsie saw John's car turn down the drive. She waited by the door for them; when John got out of the car, he made a beeline for her, and Elsie noted that Anna only waved and headed into the barn, presumably to distract Tommy.

John didn't even say anything, but he took the egg basket from Elsie and set it on the ground and then stood and gave her a huge hug.

"I am so happy for you," he said to her, and she smiled as she squeezed him back.

"Thank you. I wasn't sure how you'd both feel, to be honest."

But John just shook his head. "Don't worry," he said confidently. "I keep telling Anna, sometimes it just takes time. She's so worked up about it, but I think that's making it harder."

"No doubt," Elsie said, taking up the basket again and taking John's arm as they headed into the house. "It certainly doesn't help."

"No," he mused. "Once, we thought … But, apparently not," he added sadly.

"I wondered about that," she said softly. "But it's not uncommon, either. It happens to almost a fifth of all pregnancies in this country, actually. One in ten worldwide."

"I didn't know that," John replied, astonished.

"Once upon a time, all I did was focus on those types of statistics," she cautioned. "Don't let Anna go down that road. Look, John, I don't mean to pry, but if you've been trying for a while -"

"Since we got married, but we weren't particularly careful before that," he admitted.

"Well, it often takes several months. If you come upon next Easter and there's still no sign, then consider speaking with her doctor. Up until then, relax. There's a lot to be said for exercise, diet, and rest."

"Thanks for that," John said, opening the front door for her. "Um, she did tell me about the house," he added quietly, aware that he'd not seen Daisy outside and assuming she was somewhere nearby.

"We'll chat about that later," Elsie said, "but it would make me so happy if it all worked out."

"We'll talk when you're ready," John said. "But I can tell you right now that we discussed it immediately; the answer is yes, if you're truly going to ask the question."

"Really?" Her face lit up as she turned to face him.

"How could we say no?" he asked. "This place? Elsie … It's perfect. A little slice of heaven."

She nodded, looking out the front window as Anna and Tommy put the horses out and hearing Charles and Daisy come in from the garden out back.

"Yes, it really is."

"Edith! Oh, my goodness!" Elsie gushed as she saw her dear friend.

"I know!" Edith laughed. "Hi, Uncle Charlie."

He leaned in to kiss her cheek. "How are you, my dear?"

"Besides enormous?"

"You look radiant, Edith! And that baby is low. Are they sure you're due next month and not, oh, next week?"

"No," Edith admitted, and Elsie gasped. "We weren't really sure at first, and the further along we've gone, the more I'm convinced that this baby is not staying in here another month. And we've hit all the typical milestones early."

"Well, don't let the girls run you ragged," Charles cautioned.

"No worries there, Uncle Charlie. Daisy's being here today is a blessing; Marigold's been stir-crazy this week, and Daisy will keep her out of my hair so that I can get some rest."

"Well, then, we'll pick her up in the morning," Elsie said. "Say hi to Bertie for us."

"Will do. Enjoy your day off," Edith said with a wink.

"Mr. Carson - hello. And you must be Mrs. Carson? Evelyn Napier, at your service."

Elsie took the realtor's proffered hand. "Nice to meet you, Mr. Napier."

"Evelyn, please," he said warmly. "I don't stand much on ceremony around here."

Elsie immediately felt at ease with the man, and she could see why Charlie liked him.

Evelyn brought them over to a comfortable sitting area in his office, where he'd set out a tray of refreshments.

"Tea?" he asked, and Elsie nodded.

"Please."

"Milk?"

"Yes," she smiled. "In first, if you don't mind."

He chuckled. "The proper way, according to my Auntie," he said. "I like you already, Mrs. Carson."

"Elsie, please."

He nodded, fixed the tea, and then handed a few file folders over to Charles.

"These are the properties that I think best fit your requirements," Evelyn said. "They're from a variety of towns and neighborhoods, and as you said price wasn't a concern …" he trailed off, and Elsie raised an eyebrow at her husband.

"It's not?"

"No," Charles said determinedly, looking at her over the rims of his reading glasses. "At least, not at the outset." He looked pointedly at Elsie, and she let him win that argument … for now.

We're only looking. It's only the first day, she told herself. Time for that discussion later … privately.

Charles handed Elsie a folder, which she opened as he lifted the cover of the second. There were five portfolios in total, and one of them was the property Charles had been shown the previous day. He didn't want to say anything about which it was, wanting to see which ones Elsie would be drawn to at first glance.

She passed one of the folders back to Evelyn almost immediately, not liking how far of a drive it would be to the farm. Charles also passed on one rather quickly, disliking the layout of the house; specifically, he didn't like that none of the bedrooms were on the first floor.

"I don't want us to ever have to move again," he said to Elsie. "First floor bed and bath for our old age is a must."

She hummed her agreement, her eyes focused on the file in her lap, her lips parted in astonishment - both at the property, and at the price.

Charles watched as she flipped through the photos of the home he'd fallen in love with the day before. He looked at her face as she stopped to stare at the seaside location, as she gasped softly at the enormous staircase that looked to be at the center of the house itself, as she smiled at the thought of having a bar downstairs, and as she let out a soft ohh as she saw the photo of the sprawling property itself.

It was by far the most expensive listing, coming in at just over seven figures, but Evelyn had assured them that all of the sellers whose properties they were looking at today would entertain any and all offers, and that most of them were interested in finding the right family as well as the right price.

"This is the one you saw yesterday," Elsie said softly, looking up at Charlie and smiling. "I'm sure of it."

He inclined his head toward her. "It is, indeed," he admitted. "And now you see why I loved it."

"I do," she said hesitantly, and he saw her eyes flick to the price again.

Fortunately, so did Evelyn. "Would you both mind if I left you for a moment? I have a call I need to make to another client, and if I do that now then I can be sure she won't call me while we're out and about."

"We don't mind at all," Charles assured him. "Take your time."

He nodded and left, and Charles took the folder from Elsie's hands and laid it on the table.

"Elsie," he began, tilting her chin up so that he could plant a light kiss on her lips. "Please, just listen to me for a minute, alright?"

She swallowed, nodding reluctantly.

"I know we've discussed this, but perhaps not sufficiently," he began. "I retired from an extremely successful career as an attorney. I sold the firm for more than the asking price of this house, and I've saved and invested wisely over the past twenty-five years. I also sold the London house before moving here. Daisy is set for the future, because the money from the sale of Alice's company is in a trust for her, and Tommy has the trust that was established with Laura's life insurance benefit. We can afford this, Elsie. Truly."

"But it would be your investment, mostly. Your contributions. I mean, I can certainly put money towards it, but nothing like that," she said, waving her hand at the folder.

"I have an idea," he said gently, taking her hand.

She squeezed it, then laced her fingers through his. "I thought you might," she replied - half exasperated, half curious.

Charles reached into his pocket and pulled out a piece of paper, unfolding it as he continued.

"I couldn't sleep last night," he admitted. "Too much of this running through my mind. Figured I'd do best to get up and put it all down on paper so I'd get some rest after clearing my head.

"See here," he said, pointing to the first column. "This is what I think we should offer, and what I'd plan to put down, which is the amount I received from the sale of the London place - which, I'll point out now, was particularly well-invested over the past fifteen months."

She nodded, but said nothing.

"Then here is what the monthly payments would be - for a twenty-year note, not a thirty." He pointed to the next column, and she gulped loudly.

"Charlie," she said. "That's outrageous."

"Except it's not," he countered, "because the rest of my investments - and undoubtedly yours - are earning more than the three percent rate we'd pay on the mortgage, and so it's actually better to not pay for the entire thing in full."

"No, that's not what I meant," she said. "The payment is insane!"

"Just hear me out," he pleaded. "See here? This last column is all of our expenses. You can cover those with what you're making now, with the money that's just from your school salary and not from the farm. The farm I didn't even take into account, because it's what you use for Becky's care. But if Anna starts working there full-time offering lessons, as you talked about a few months ago, then that income will undoubtedly go up as well."

She nodded once again, trying to keep her protests in until he was finished.

"And this," he finished, "is what I think we could reasonably rent the farm out for."

"Okay," she said hesitantly. "Back to this," she said, pointing to the monthly payment. "And this," she added, pointing to the expenses. "They total more than I'm comfortable with."

"Because you're thinking in terms of splitting those numbers evenly, whereas I am not," he said. He pulled out a pen and jotted a number down on the paper.

"That's my monthly income, if I choose to take it. I've not chosen to draw that much out yet, because I haven't needed it. If I take even 80% of that, which would basically be the mortgage payment, your income will more than cover all of the household expenses, including winter heating costs and bumping up the food budget to account for two teenagers."

He looked at her seriously. "I make more than you do, Elsie, because I've been fortunate. It makes no sense to split our contributions evenly when our incomes aren't even. I'm sorry, and I don't mean anything negative by that, but it's the truth. You've worked so very hard your entire life for what you have, and so have I. And now I'm retired, and doing consulting on the side, and I want to do this. I want to do it for us."

She took a deep breath; as she was gathering her thoughts, she spied another figure on the side of the paper.

"What's that?" she asked, pointing to it.

He smiled. "That's the consulting money," he said softly. "Or, as I'm now thinking of it … the baby fund." He set the paper on the table.

Elsie looked up at him, her eyes filling with tears. "I'm … overwhelmed. By all of this. By you. It's a lot to take in."

He squeezed her hand again and nodded. "I know," he said. "But the bottom line is this, Elsie: I've worked hard in order to get to where I am, and have been exceptionally fortunate over my career. We can afford to buy whichever of these homes we want and continue to put aside for Daisy, Tommy, and this new little one, too."

He rested his hand on her abdomen, a deep-seated desire in his heart to feel the baby moving. Soon, he told himself.

She laid her hand on top of his and a tear managed to escape her eye; he leaned forward quickly, and kissed it from her cheek, then rested their foreheads together.

"No decisions for at least a month," she said. "We look around, and we tell the kids, and we think about all of this. We don't need the most expensive house on the planet, Charles."

"No, we don't," he agreed. "But if we're never moving again, I want the one we love the most."

"Fair enough."

Just then, Evelyn came back into the room.

"All set?" he asked, and Charles nodded.

"We are," he said, standing up and then offering his hand to Elsie. "Well? Shall we go see a house?"

"Oh, why not?" she replied with a laugh.

"Excellent," Evelyn said with a smile. "You're going to love it, you know."

"Oh," Elsie laughed, "I know."

TBC - Please leave a little review if you are willing/able!