December 25, 1926

Elsie curled up against her husband in their warm bed, the fire in the grate still crackling and popping, slowly devouring the new log Charles had placed in the fireplace before slipping into bed beside her.

It had been a wonderful Christmas, their first together as husband and wife. She had woken him with light kisses all along his chest and shoulder, slowing making a path upwards until she captured his lips. It hadn't taken long before he was wide awake and lavishing her with every ounce of adoration in his body, intent on showing her how happy she made him. By the time it was time to get up and dress for the day, they were both wearing very satisfied smiles, flushed cheeks, and sighing contentedly.

Now, as they turned in for the night, Elsie began to think back over their long day filled with activity. Her lips began to curl into a smile which soon transformed into a large grin. Eventually, her happiness gave way to a burst of laughter, startling Charles. His fingertips, which had been tracing lightly up and down her bare back, stilled.

"What's so funny, might I ask?" There was no hint of irritation or confusion in his voice, only curiosity and softness.

"Just thinking back over the day, love. It's been the best Christmas I've ever had."

He hummed his agreement. "It was very nice. Thank you again for my lovely new watch. I shall cherish it always. The inscription was beautiful."

"I'm so happy you liked it. I was afraid you might think it was too extravagant."

She leaned up and kissed him softly on the lips before nesting back into his warm embrace. It wasn't long before she noticed the change in his breathing, alerting her to the fact that her husband was almost asleep.

Once again, her mind turned back over the events of the day and the grin and giggles returned. No matter how hard she tried to stifle the laughter, it was no use. She brought her hand up to her mouth to try to hold it in which only made it worse. Before she knew it, she was laughing loud enough to raise Charles from his slumber.

"I'm sorry, Charles. I can't help it."

He tickled her sides gently and rolled her onto her back before peering down into her face.

"What, in the name of Father Christmas, has made you so giddy tonight? I'm not complaining. I'd just like to share in the merriment," he said, clearly amused by her own happiness and laughter.

She shook her head and grinned. "I keep thinking of Miss Sybbie and her enthusiasm. She's quite the little imp, isn't she?"

Charles grumbled and raised his eyebrows as he looked down at his amused wife.

"That she is. I still cannot believe she did that. How embarrassing, Elsie, truly."

"Embarrassing? I don't see what there is to be embarrassed about. She was excited and she wanted to share her happiness."

"Yes, but … you don't think it was slightly improper? She didn't even stop to speak to either of her grandparents."

Elsie laughed even harder. "No, she didn't, and I didn't encourage it in the least. But, she's young, Charles. She doesn't understand the social restrictions just yet. All she knew was that Father Christmas brought her a very nice china doll for Christmas and she wanted to show someone … she wanted to show me."

Charles chuckled softly. "I have to say, it was very sweet the way you bent down and immediately folded her into your arms. She almost knocked you over when she threw her arms around your neck. I'm surprised you don't have a headache from the doll's head hitting you on the back of your head. But goodness, the look on everyone's faces as she yelled your name and ran straight to you. I am sure it took everyone by surprise. Good thing the Dowager Countess wasn't there this morning. Heaven only knows what her reaction would have been. Even when she was little, Lady Mary never did anything like that, even to her own parents."

"Your Lady Mary was raised differently than Miss Sybbie. She's been in America. Things aren't as structured there as they are here. And it's nice that she is being raised with the best of both worlds. It will serve her well in the future, I believe. She's been given the chance to be a true child and enjoy growing up without all the rules and reserve. I think that's nice."

"As usual, you're right, love."

His eyes sparkled with adoration as he leaned down and kissed the tip of Elsie's nose. "Misssessss Carrrson! Look at my new dolly. Isn't she beauuuuutiful? Father Christmas brought him to me, and I think he looks just like you," he mimicked, teasing Elsie as he tried his best to sound like the young girl.

"Aye, she is, lass. Very beautiful, but more like you than me," he said, again attempting to change the sound of his voice, this time to mimic the Scottish accent of his wife.

"Though I would have to disagree with you on that last part. You are the most beautiful woman in the world, Elsie Hughes Carson."

She swatted his chest playfully and blushed, shaking her head and once again laughing until her sides were aching.

"You are just jealous that Master George didn't run to you with his new train set, aren't you, love? Or perhaps you were hoping that Lady Mary Crawley would dash over to you to show you her new earrings."

"Och! As if I would be interested in seeing the latest in women's jewelry."

She raised her hand and wiggled her fingers, the light from the fireplace to cause her ring to sparkle. "You may not be interested, but you do have lovely taste in certain pieces of jewelry, my darling. I have the most beautiful wedding ring."

"You make it beautiful, Elsie. That ring, on anyone else, would simply be ordinary, but you … you and your love, make it the sparkling gem that it is."

"What a wonderful thing to say, Charles. You certainly do have a way with words when you open up and let yourself express them."

"I hope you never feel that I'm holding things back from you, Elsie. I have really tried hard this past year to be more open with you, telling you how I'm feeling and what I'm thinking."

"Oh, you have, Charles, and it's been nice to see you opening up so much to me. That's what married life is all about, sharing everything … the good and the bad. We've certainly been blessed with more good than bad recently. Look at us. We have a wonderful home, good jobs, nice employers, friends, and, most importantly, each other. I couldn't ask for anything more."

"Don't forget about our own children downstairs."

"Oh, I could never forget about your kittens and my puppy," she teased.

"You mean your kittens and my pup," he corrected.

"No, I meant what I said. Since the day those kittens came into this house, you took a great interest in them … petting them, feeding them, making sure they had toys and places to hide in the house. They actually respond to you when you speak to them. The most I get out of them is when they walk across my lap to get to yours when we're cuddling on the couch in the evenings. They're definitely yours!"

"I wouldn't talk too much, Mrs. Carson. I could say the same thing about you and the puppy! He certainly doesn't run to greet me at the door in the evenings when we come home. He goes straight to you. He whines until you pet him. He comes running at the sound of your voice. He curls up beside you every night on the sofa or sits in your lap if you're in the chair."

"Yes, yes, fair enough, Mr. Carson. Your kittens and my dog … our children!" She ran her fingers through his hair, ruffling it and peppering his face with little kisses, all the while smiling, sharing her happiness with him.

"I love you so much, Elsie, so very, very much," he whispered against her lips. "I never thought that I could be this happy, but you show me just how lucky I am every single day."

He captured her lips in a heated kiss, trying his best to express how much she was loved and cherished.

When the kiss ended, she drew his head to her chest and cradled him in her arms, holding him tightly. "I'm the luckiest woman in the world, Charles. I want you to know that and always remember it."

"I won't forget because you won't let me," he teased. "Just as I won't let you forget that you will always come first in my life. You are my everything, Elsie, and Miss Sybbie was right. You are beautiful … my very own china doll with a heart of gold."

"Are you angling for a train set for your birthday, Charles?" She couldn't help teasing him a little to break the seriousness of the conversation.

She felt him smile against her chest. "I'll settle for a train journey, maybe a few days by the sea with a lovely Scottish woman by my side."

"Let's sleep on it, then, sweetheart, and dream of all the wonderful things still ahead of us."

He stretched up and kissed the underside of her jaw and tightened his arm around her waist.

"I am living in a dream, Elsie, a wonderful dream that I never thought I'd be lucky enough to have."

"That makes two of us, love. I'm happy to be living our little dream together."

TBC …

A/N: Thank you to everyone (guest and signed in reviewers) who took the time to leave me a message. Your encouragement and support is so very much appreciated. I hope you are still enjoying these little pillow talks! xoxo