C&E&C&E&C&E

November 6, 1926

He had noticed she had been distracted for most of the day, but he didn't think much of it. Running Downton and taking care of their own little cottage took a lot of work and organization. Add to those duties, the large house party she was planning for Her Ladyship, and she was bound to be a little out of sorts. He knew the best thing he could do would be to stay out of her way and support her in whatever way she needed him. They had been married for only a few months, but he was learning how to be a good husband, best friend, and a support to the woman who held all the keys … to each door and, most importantly, his heart.

She slipped into the room and climbed into bed beside him, heaving a great sigh of relief as his arms wrapped around her, drawing her into the comfort of his embrace. She pillowed her head on his chest and allowed her eyes to close while her mind still raced furiously with details and mental lists for the upcoming days.

"Care to talk about it," he asked quietly, his words whispered against her forehead, his hand gliding up and down her back soothingly.

She wrapped her arm a little tighter across his waist, giving him a little hug, and kissing his chest though his shirt. "I've been so busy with the details of the party and then the painters had questions about the cottage. It was a hectic day, and I'm glad it's over. This is the first moment I've had all day to truly relax."

He shifted so he could look into her eyes. "I'm worried about you," he said honestly. "It's not like you to become so frazzled over parties and other little occurrences. Are you certain there's nothing else bothering you, something that I might be able to help you with?" He pressed a light kiss to her lips. "Your worries are my worries now, too, remember?"

She cradled his cheek in her hand and kissed him, first on the lips then teasingly on his nose. "I know that, love, and I appreciate it. I do have something on my mind, though I'm not sure how you're going to react. I wanted to wait for the right time, but I received a phone call today, and it looks like I've run out of time."

At her words, Charles stiffened. She'd run out of time? How could that be? Surely, she would have told him if she was unwell. He would have noticed. Or would he? She'd hid things from him before with him none the wiser. He pulled back and immediately turned on the bedside lamp. "Elsie Carson, you're worrying me. What's wrong? Please, tell me you aren't ill," he begged.

Seeing the panic in his eyes, her heart skipped a beat, and she quickly reassured him. "No, no, love. I'm not unwell. I wouldn't hide something like that from you ever again. You'd be the first person I told if I even suspected something like that." She smoothed the errant curl back from his forehead and let her hand linger on his cheek. "It's nothing like that, Charles. I promise."

He took a deep breath and let his anxiety wash over him, trying to will his heart to beat again at a normal pace. "Then, what is it that has you so concerned about speaking to me?"

She bit her bottom lip, worrying it as she tried to quickly form her thoughts. "Well, you know we've talked about children and how our lives might have been with them, someone little to love and cherish, to protect, doting on them, and watching them grow."

Charles's eyes widened and his eyebrows rose higher than she had ever seen, his heart suddenly beating faster than it ever had before. "Elsie … are you saying … I thought … it never occurred to me … Oh, love, I'm so happy, surprised but ever so happy!" His hand instinctively covered her stomach reverently.

She looked at him curiously before realization suddenly dawned on her and she burst into a fit of giggles. "Charles Carson! You should know that I am well beyond the mothering years," she lightly scolded, though secretly touched by his enthusiasm at the prospect of being a parent. "I haven't had … well, that … in years, so we're in no danger of a blessed event like that."

"What? You mean we're not going to have a baby? But you said …?"

"I asked if you recalled the conversation, Charles. I said nothing more. You jumped to the conclusion on your own, though I think it's very sweet that you were so excited." She leaned up and kissed him on the lips, deepening it a little to soothe his frayed nerves. When she pulled back, she ran her thumb across his bottom lip and smiled. "I do think you will make an excellent father to our kittens, though," she said quickly, then waited on him to register what she'd just said.

"Kittens? Who said we were getting kittens?"

Elsie had the good manners to look a little sheepish. "I'm hoping you will. I've always loved cats, dogs, too, really, and Daisy said Mr. Mason's barn cat had a litter a few weeks ago. He called the house this morning to say that they were old enough to give away, and Daisy had mentioned to him that I might be interested in one or two."

"One or two? And did it never occur to you to talk to me about a pet … or two … for the cottage?"

"It did, and as I said, I've been trying to find the right time to talk to you about it, but we've both been so busy or preoccupied. When it would cross my mind, you weren't around or when we were together, we were otherwise engaged or not in the mood to discuss kittens."

Charles knew she was telling him the truth, knew she wasn't hiding anything from him or springing the idea on him on purpose. "Very well. When do we have to let him know our decision?"

At this, Elsie cast her eyes downward and bit the corner of her lip again. "I said we'd pick them up tomorrow after church since we will have the rest of the afternoon and Monday off at the cottage. We could get them used to everything and name them."

Charles chuckled and shook his head. "And where are these kittens of yours going to sleep? What are we going to feed them? What happens when were at the Abbey and they're here?"

Elsie's excitement grew, knowing that he had fully accepted their new additions without ever seeing them. "We'll make them up a little pallet in the living room, though I bet they will sleep wherever they want. I can feed them scraps from the table or whatever Mrs. Patmore wants to send home with us for them. As for our time away, I can walk over here during the day and check on them, feed them, or you could if you wanted the exercise." She tiptoed her fingers up his chest to his lips, tapping them teasingly. "Or we could take a walk, check on our kittens, and get a little extra exercise, on the nights we have to be away from the cottage."

He groaned softly at the images now flashing through his mind, thoughts of ravishing his wife in the middle of the afternoon, sneaking away for a little tryst with his love, enjoying all the joys of marital life. He leaned down and captured her lips in a heated kiss, a brief reminder of how much he loved her, adored her, and would do anything for her.

As his lips left hers, she kept her eyes closed, enjoying the sensations coursing through her body. His lips were soft against her ear as he whispered: "is now a good time to mention that I've already found us a puppy for Christmas? It was going to be a surprise, but since your kittens are out of the bag, I might as well bring in the dog from the doghouse," he teased.

Elsie couldn't contain her laughter as she hugged Charles with every ounce of strength left in her body.

"Our little family is growing, it would seem, and I couldn't be happier, Charles. Thank you for giving me everything I've ever wanted."

"I could say the same thing to you, Elsie. All I've ever wanted was to love someone and be loved in return. You've given me that and so much more. I'm looking forward to raising our family with you, Mama."

"You're going to spoil our children, aren't you, Papa?"

"Not nearly as much as I spoil you, my love."

Elsie rolled onto her back, bringing Charles with her. She would show him just how spoiled she felt and how loved he was, even if it took all night.

TBC …

A/N: Thank you so much for every kind review, reblog, comment, message, and support. A special THANKS to all of my guest reviewers that I can't personally thank. Your support for this story has been very much appreciated. There are a lot of stories out there for these two boobies, but I'm grateful you took a few minutes to read mine. HUGS! xoxo