April 10, 1927

One year wedding anniversary

Elsie stepped across the threshold of their little cottage and sighed happily. It was good to be home, back in the warmth of their sanctuary, a place where she was free to be Elsie Carson, and he was happy to be her doting husband, Charles. She took a moment to take a deep breath, inhaling the scent of apples and cinnamon, a testament to the pudding she had so lovingly made for her husband for their anniversary. She had been incredibly proud of the pastry with its golden, flaky crust and the aromatic flavors blending together to create a little masterpiece.

He lingered by the doorway hanging up their coats and watching his wife, captivated by her every move, wondering silently what was on her mind. No doubt there could be a myriad of answers to that question alone, though he thought he had an inkling of what she was pondering, remembering, relishing.

Quietly, he moved to stand behind her, slipping his arms around her waist and drawing her against his chest. "I love you," he said so softly against the shell of her ear.

She closed her eyes and covered his arms with hers, hugging him closer to her. "What a wonderful way to spend our first anniversary," she answered before turning her head and kissing his cheek lovingly. "You managed to well and truly surprise me … and it gave me another excuse to wear the coat Her Ladyship gave me for the wedding."

His laugh rumbled through his body and into hers. "Well, that wasn't my intention, but I'm glad you were able to wear it again. The color suits you, and you looked like a vision on our wedding day, more than just tidy as you had predicted." His lips grazed her cheek then started on a path down the column of her slender neck. "I was the proudest of men that day as well as this evening … and every day in between if I'm honest."

"Och! You are a flatterer is what you are," she teased, pulling away from him and turning to face him with a glowing smile on her face.

"Can't a husband flatter his wife, remind her how beautiful she is, how lucky he is that she married him, that she makes him the happiest of men every single day?" With each new question he posed to her, he took a large step forward as she took two steps backwards towards the stairs.

"Goodness! How many glasses of wine did you have at dinner this evening?" She couldn't help but laugh, knowing very well that he was more than capable of holding his own, knowing his own limits when it came to wine and spirits.

"I could ask my wife the same question. I believe she was the one suggesting it was much too warm to wear her coat on an April evening in Yorkshire and has been rather risqué in words and deeds on the way home."

"I was merely trying to steady myself. The train ride seemed more bumpy than usual so …"

"So … you just had to put your hand on my upper thigh, giving it a firm squeeze, letting it linger, letting your fingers move slightly back and forth, up and down, along the inside of my leg. And let's not forget the way you shifted and curled into my side, resting your head on my shoulder while each warm breath caressed my neck. You know full well what that does to me."

Her eyes darkened and she took a step closer towards him, reaching out to take him by the lapels of his suit coat. "Hmmm, Mr. Carson, did I do all of those things? Goodness, one might mistake me for a woman in love with her husband and happy to be celebrating this evening. Perhaps, it might be a good idea, if I remind myself what exactly that does to you so I'll remember for future reference." She stood on her tiptoes and nipped the lobe of his ear, earning a moan of approval for her teasing, then quickly stepped back and darted up the stairs.

He stood at the bottom of the steps, flabbergasted at having been tricked. Her laughter rang down from the top of the landing.

"I wonder if my loving husband might be of a mind to assist me with this dress. There are a great many buttons that need unfastening, and I can promise you the reward for your assistance will be handsome. And don't try to deny that my unmentionables have always been a source of great interest to you, especially in the removal of them."

Charles felt a warm flush spread over his body just at the mere mention of her undergarments, knowing what the rest of the evening held in store for them, fully starting to realize what the following day would mean as well. With those thoughts in mind, Charles raced up the stairs, fully focused on fulfilling his vow … with my body, I thee worship.

Later, as they rested securely in each other's embrace, clothes haphazardly left on the floor, decidedly untidy hair and sheets, Elsie gave her husband a tight squeeze around his waist. "How are you feeling, love?"

He pressed his lips to her forehead and skimmed his fingertips along her bare arm and shoulder. "I don't know that there are words to adequately describe how I'm feeling."

She shifted in his arms, resting her chin on his chest, daring to look into his dark brown eyes. "Would you try … for me?"

"I would do anything for you, my dear girl, anything at all." He turned onto his side so he could look her directly in the eyes, their heads close on the pillow they were currently sharing. His fingers laced with hers and he brought their joined hands to his chest, holding them there as if that connection was his lifeline.

"Take your time. I'm not rushing you, Charles, and I'm certainly not going anywhere," she reassured him, though no real assurance was needed. They both knew that.

"To be honest, I'm feeling so many things. I'm exhausted and relaxed completely, feeling loved and cherished, desired and proud. Those are all thanks to you and our love. I feel so at peace when we're together, especially when we're here in our own home, free to share touches and unguarded words. Stepping through that door always feel like a weight has been lifted, been left outside."

She gave his hand a squeeze. "I feel that way, too. No one to interrupt us, to remind us that there is someone always listening or lurking in the hallways. But, surely that's not all your feeling, especially today."

He smiled and shook his head. "I know what you're getting at, Elsie. I do, but I promise you, I am fine. With you by my side, tomorrow will be the start of something wonderful, something I never thought I'd have."

"Neither did I. Believe me, I thought I would die in some little room, all alone, meager possessions, few friends. I never dared to dream I would be curled up in a warm bed with a wonderful man who shows me every day how much he loves me. This life we're living … I was convinced it was all beyond my grasp, but look at us now," she said with a little blush to her cheeks. "Quite the pair, aren't we?"

He closed the distance and kissed her lips softly. "The best pair, in my opinion." He released her hand and shifted closer to her, drawing her leg over his, stroking her bare back with his fingertips. "I am sure there will be days ahead when I'm testy, a little grumpy even, but I won't mean it. It will take time for me to adjust. I've been in a routine for so long, it will be difficult to just wake up tomorrow and leave it all behind."

"I understand that, but just remember that I'm facing the same restlessness and testiness, too. No maids to command, no large household orders to place, no meetings over menus. But there are a few positives to starting retirement tomorrow," she whispered softly against his lips.

"I'm listening, Mrs. Carson."

"Sleeping as late as we want, going downstairs to breakfast in our dressing gowns, unscheduled picnics by the lake or taking tea in the village. Planning meals together and eating the things we enjoy the most, watching our flowers grow, tending our little garden. Curling up together at the end of the day in our own home … this very bed, glasses of wine in hand and making plans for future days, other outings, living a little."

He brushed a loose tendril of hair back from her face, letting his large hand cup her cheek. "Elsie Hughes Carson, this year has been the best of my life, and I'm ready to take your hand, to steady you as you keep me steady, and to walk into the next chapter of our lives."

A single tear slipped from her eye, a single tear of happiness, a solitary tear for their old life and the promise of their future days together. Elsie leaned up and kissed Charles sweetly on the end of his nose. "What would you like to do tomorrow since it's our first day of retirement?"

He rolled Elsie onto her back and hovered over her, looking deep into her eyes. "I can think of a few ways to spend a day, and if I'm honest, I hope it rains all day tomorrow."

She gave him a questioning look. "Rain?"

"Hmm, yes. Just think of it, Elsie. A rainy day, the drops hitting the windows and roof, nowhere to go, nothing to do, food in the larder. We may not have to move far from this bed all day."

She wrapped her arms around his neck and drew him closer to her face. "Sounds like a perfect way to spend the day, love." Just then, the mantle clock chimed midnight and Elsie cradled his face in her hands. "Happy retirement, Mr. Carson."

"Indeed it is, Mrs. Carson." With that, Charles lowered his lips to hers, kissing her passionately and embarking on the first few moments of their retirement in a most enjoyable way.

A/N: Thank you all so much for reading and reviewing the story. Your comments, reviews, and encouragement have kept me motivated and inspired to write this story. You're all so wonderful! To my guest reviewers, a special thanks. I wish I could have sent you a message in person to express my gratitude.