Ch 43- More Than You Can Handle, II

Late November 1920

"No more twins?" Charlie asked, his big blue eyes sad. "But… but then Charlotte and I would each get one!"

He and his sister had wanted another pair of twins to join the family and were still confused about why that hadn't happened and why it apparently would not. Their parents, nanny and Lady Grantham had all sat them down for separate conversations about why they were special because they were twins, something that had yet to sink in for the pair.

"No twins Charlie but still, a lot will change." Carson said to his little boys. "When your mother has the new baby."

The boys were in their bath and had, until recently, been covered in mud from playing outside. Samuel was distracted with a toy he was playing with and Charlie stood suddenly, pouring a bucket of water over his baby brother's head.

"Charles!" Carson was shocked.

Sam squealed and burst out laughing and clapping, making it obvious that he was overjoyed by his brother's actions. He looked up, hoping he would do it again.

"Well I'm glad that turned out well." Carson laughed, relieved the baby hadn't cried.

"He loves it daddy." Charlie explained.

"I can see that." He said, reaching over and wiping the water out of Sam's eyes. "Charlie sit lad, you first."

"Okay, but no soap in Charlie's eyes daddy."

"No, m'lad no soap in Charlie's eyes."

Samuel watched carefully as his father washed Charlie's hair, wondering why he hadn't done the same with him. In that instant, Samuel realized for the first time that he had no hair or rather, nearly no hair.

Downstairs Charlotte watched her mother carefully as they ran their hands through the dough, preparing to make homemade bread. The little girl noticed her mother's middle had grown in the past few days, and she was more tired lately than she'd been before. Elsie took a deep breath, obviously encumbered by some measure of pain that was bad enough to keep her little girl on edge.

"Mummy?" She asked carefully.

"Hmmm." Her eyes were closed.

"Are you okay?" Charlotte gulped.

"Yes Charlotte I'm fine my lass… it's just sometimes…" Elsie paused, feeling that little bit of pain in her back again and wondering if it were alright to share that with her five year old. "Sometimes when you have a wee one inside you, things can get a little painful." She took a deep breath, steadying herself.

"SAMUEL!" Mother and daughter stopped when they heard Carson bellow; followed by Sam's intense giggling.

"I wonder what my most rambunctious lad is up to." Elsie laughed, knowing it had to be something if it made her husband that angry.

"Ha! Mummy!" Charlotte cried, covering her eyes as her baby brother ran by, giggling, stark naked and worst of all, tracking water all throughout the house.

"Oh dear! Samuel! Samuel Carson, you come back here right now!" Elsie cried, "I'm in no condition to be doing this…" She moaned, waddling quickly behind her son, fearful that either one of them would fall in the trail of soap and water he left behind.

Charlotte peaked from between her fingers and began to laugh as her mom finally caught the mischievous little boy in her arms and he began to giggle.

"Samuel, is that what you want, for everyone to see your toosh?" Elsie teased, kissing his cheek and forehead, causing him to squeal aloud and Charlotte to laugh. "My funny little lad, what's gotten into you?"

While obedient to a degree, and proper like their father, all the Carson children had inherited their mother's will: they were independent thinkers. They questioned authority, they thought of new, interesting ways to do things: this was especially true of Samuel, who hadn't understood why he couldn't just get himself out of the bath and proceed with his day.

"There he is." Carson sighed, holding his arms out for Sam when he reached them.

"Mummy that's just it that's what's gotten into him!" Charlotte observed.

"Hmm?" Her parents asked, clueless as to what she meant.

"Mummy that's Sam's job. I like books, Charlie likes adventure and Sam's supposed to be a funny baby."

"Cheerful Samuel." Elsie smiled, handing her son back to her husband, denoting that he was like his daddy.

"Don't start." He cautioned calmly, not wanting to tell the children about his stage days.

"And if he ever goes to Eton, he'll have many nights like that." Charlie observed, coming down the stairs.

"What?!" Charlie and Elsie asked collectively, wondering how even their creative little son would come up with such a thing.

"I don't know." Charlie shrugged. "That's what Lord Grantham said when Ben did that one time." Charlotte nodded in agreement.

Carson was about to reply but in that instant, Elsie to winced again, this time, she appeared to be being punched hard from within. He could see her almost jump in pain and raised his eyebrow.

"Charlotte? Charlie? Could you…excuse us for a moment? And take your brother." He requested.

Charlotte paused, her hands covered in bread dough. She didn't want to leave her mother's side but found she could not deny her father's demanding tone. Charlie, who wore only his bath towel, scurried up the stairs so he wouldn't have to help his sister and she sighed painfully, wondering how she'd get Sam up the stairs alone.

"Yes Daddy." She said.

"Oooh!" Elsie winced, closing her eyes.

Charlotte paused a moment, looking back at her mother, horrified. Elsie had started explaining what would happen when the baby came and although it was early, she wondered if this was it. Despite being too small, Charlotte took Sam (now wrapped in a towel) in her arms and began the long journey upstairs. Sam clung to his sister's hands and knowing there was food there began to suck on them.

"Elsie…" He reached out to help her.
"No." She held her hand out, steadying herself. "No, I'm fine."

"You're not fine." He said sternly, his worry piquing.

"It's not labor Charlie, it's too early. It's a pinch in my back is all."

"Hmmm."

"Really."

"Not that I take much stock in what Dr. Clarkson has to say these days but… I

think we should pay him a visit tomorrow you and I."

Elsie took a deep breath, shaking her head.

"It's your fourth child and your first time having this… something could be very wrong, Elsie." He didn't want to say the obvious thing; so he'd forced himself to just come out with it.

Elsie paused, gathering herself as she looked back up at him. She hadn't wanted to admit that the pain was odd, that it was part way between somewhat crippling and something that would pass.

"Alright Mr. Carson. Alright we'll go."

….

"I really don't want any added stress put on Mrs. Carson." Carson urged as he watched Beryl and Daisy go about their work, almost seeming to ignore him.

"Don't worry Mr. Carson." Beryl sighed.

"Don't worry we'll take care of her." Daisy promised.

"So you think she…she isn't acting quite right then?"

"I think she's exhausted and got too many little ones to manage."

"I…" Carson paused and cleared his throat, wondering if this were a dig at him. He turned and retired to his wife's sitting room where he found her reclining in her chair. They'd seen Dr. Clarkson together earlier and he'd found nothing wrong with her, save the baby's odd position and the body readying itself for the real thing. Carson found himself dissatisfied with the doctor's answer but found no choice but to contend with it.

"I'll miss this." She said sadly, looking down at her belly. "With her little bitty feet dancing about inside me."

"Are you alright?" Carson asked, noting a tear in his wife's eye. She grabbed his hand and put it on her side, taking a deep breath and sighing. He paused, feeling the baby's foot graze his wife's side and in turn his hand.

"It's a beautiful, beautiful feeling." He reflected, kneeling next to her.

"I never thought I'd get here." She smiled. "And to have had four of them grow inside me. It's still every bit a miracle as it was when I heard the news for the first time and I just..."

"It is for me too my Elspeth, speaking of which I wanted to talk to you about that."

"About what?"

"Elspeth." He said.

"Oh?"

"Should we have a girl, I'd like it to be Lucy Elspeth. I know Charlotte's already an Elspeth, but it's a tribute because I love their mother so much."

Elsie blushed. "Mr. Carson, I should be honored that you'd want to name your treasured lass' after me. And furthermore if it's a boy, I'd like it to be William Charles… Charlie if it's a boy…"

"I was being a buffoon before Elsie. I've made plans about what to do if it's a boy."

"Oh." She said uncomfortably, biting her lip. "I rather think it might be another lad…I know we've been thinking girl but… every time I've been pregnant I've had a boy, Charlie I think I have a knack for having lads…"

"And if it's a lad I have a plan."

"What's that?" She asked, truly nervous now.

"To get him out on the field with his brothers and his da and teach him cricket as soon as he can walk."

"Oh?" She smiled.
"Elsie I was being a buffoon before. I love my sons. I love them very much. What man doesn't take pride in his boys Elsie?"

"Certainly not you." She replied, tears of joy streaming down her face.

"No, certainly not me. In fact I'm going upstairs now, to get my boys and my baby lass, and probably their lonely friend Master Benjamin, and take them to get an ice cream what do you say; would mummy like to go?"

Elsie laughed. "Mummy would like to stay off her swollen feet a while but please take the children Charlie."

"Alright then, I shall leave you be." He said, leaning down and kissing her belly before kissing her cheek.

Carson was relieved to leave her in good spirits, but everything she'd said left him feeling a bit odd. He'd not been thinking about it in those terms at all: that she did have a knack for boys, that this was her last pregnancy and their last little baby. Carson found himself pausing as he went up the stairs to dry his cheeks, the idea bittersweet.

'How can it be so sudden like that?" He asked himself. "Our last baby."

"Daddy!" Charlie and Charlotte squealed, running to him the minute he came up the green baize door.

"There they are!" Although it was far from dignified, Carson picked up his twins and held them close, laughing as he kissed their cheeks and trying to hide the fact that he was in pain. The twins, excited to see him, each kissed his cheek.

Carson was surprised to look up and see Lady Grantham approach smiling. She held Benjamin's hand and Samuel on her hip.

"Oh m'lady I'll take…"

"He's no trouble." She smiled over at Sam. "Benjamin and I were just wondering if we could accompany you for ice cream."

Carson couldn't hide his surprise, and for the first time since his children had joined upstairs life, wondered if this had all gone a bit far. But, if she was sure…

"I-if you're sure m'lady that'd be lovely. But I will take Samuel."

"No, no you've got your hands full Carson and he's really no trouble at all." She laughed, heading out of the house head of him.

Cora was secretly delighted by Samuel and although somewhat odd would never say no to watching him.

Carson was hurt when Charlotte scurried out of his arms to go take Benjamin's waiting hand. He stared for a moment, stunned and wondering what was happening. But his shock was quickly taken away when Charlie tried to climb up onto his shoulders.

"Piggy back daddy!"

"Alright m'lad, alright." He laughed, happy to hold at least one of his kids. His heart soared when he placed his older son atop his shoulders and felt him give him a tight, loving squeeze around his neck.

"Daddy, daddy I tell you secret." He whispered, sounding much younger than his five years.

"Humm."

"Daddy, daddy you're my favorite!"

"Mmmm Daddy favors you too my son." He whispered.

...

December 1920

"Do you want me there?" Carson asked.

Several weeks had passed and Elsie had only grown larger and more miserable.

"When?" She mumbled, her eyes closed.

Carson smiled down at her as she dozed, drifting in and out of sleep. He'd done it all on his own that day: their work, the children, their supper, their bedtime.

"When you have the baby." He said, reaching over and brushing her hair out of her face.

"Hmmmm. Please be with me like you were for Samuel. I wanted you there the first time." Elsie wasn't sure what he'd say; she didn't really know how he felt.

"I wouldn't have it any other way." He smiled, leaning down and kissing her cheek.

"Thank you."

"Hmm?"

"For all of this." She said, caressing her belly. "For sticking by me as I tried so desperately to give us this."

"Oh Elsie it is I who should thank you and I do from the bottom of my heart." He said, putting down his book and wrapping his arms around her, pulling her into his embrace. She sighed, resting her head against his chest. "Thank you for never giving up on our precious children…. I would've been happy with you, no matter what came…. But being able to see them, to love them, just to hold them in my arms: our precious children who are our flesh and our blood…. Who in their being tell the world how desperately I love you. There could be no greater gift, no greater fortune in all the world."

"Oh Charlie I love you. I love you so much." She said, clutching his hand.

"You're afraid."

"Terrified, Dr. Clarkson says because he's pressed into my back… Charlie it'll hurt much more."

"When'd he say that?"

"This morning."

This gave Charlie a moment of pause and he found that he too was terrified. Samuel had caused her so much pain; he couldn't see how it could reasonably be much worse.

"It's alright." He said, trying to bolster her self-esteem. "I've faith in you."

"Thank you Charlie." She said, half asleep. "I've faith in you too." He squeezed her hand tight and within moments, the couple fell asleep.

…

December 15th, 1920

By mid-December the house was in the full swing of Christmas, but anyone who knew the abbey well understood it was no usual holiday season, for the entire dwelling was on the edge of its seat in anticipation, and three little Carsons were eagerly awaiting the most precious of holiday gifts.

"I know its all very exciting, what with Christmas and the lovely new baby to be, but its time for bed." Cora insisted sweetly.

Having never really been a hands on mother, she wasn't much good with this kind of thing, but thought she was doing well regardless. You see, the upstairs had several extra occupants this Christmas. Elsie, who'd started to feel better, but had grown huge in the past week or so, was about to deliver and although she'd resisted at first, had allowed Cora to take her children into the nursery in the nights just in case something happened. Elsie knew her labor would be an ordeal and the last thing she wanted was for the twins to witness it.

Everyone was overly excited about the Carson baby, except the Carsons who found themselves anxious-excited; their joy marred by a fear of what was to come and a bittersweetness neither could shake. They simply couldn't believe it was really their last baby. Nonetheless, the pair tried their best to enjoy the occasion despite all the opposing emotion.

Elsie still felt simply awful and waddled around the house rather than walked. Last night had been the first night they'd let the children sleep at the abbey and the separation had devastated her. At the same time, Charlie had made a concerted effort to console her and had had Mrs. Patmore make them a romantic dinner at home, just for the two of them. It'd been ages since they'd done anything like that and Elsie marveled over how he'd made her feel so loved and so lovely when she felt anything but. How he'd made her feel like a woman when she felt like nothing but a fat, pained, frustrated beached whale.

"I'm not sleepy." Charlotte moaned as Cora tucked her in.

Charlie played along, carefully considering the notion that they didn't exactly have to sleep. Meanwhile, Samuel and Benjamin were already out like a light and snoring.

"If you need me, I will be downstairs." Cora told the twins.

"Mummy." Charlotte mumbled, taking the liberty of playing with the grand lady's fingers.

Cora smiled almost sadly and leaned down to kiss Charlotte's forehead. "Mommy loves you but she needs her rest to bring your baby sister here for Christmas."

"Bleh no sister." Charlie spat.

"Ah-ah. I think mommy wants a sister, and Charlotte and I are on team sister isn't that right?" She giggled, soothing the little girl and causing her to smile. "If you need anything find Anna or find me, don't disturb mommy."

"Will mummy go home and have the baby now?"

"I don't know… I think it'll be a few days we just have to wait and see."

Cora bid the children good night and made her way down to the quiet, but grand family supper they would have that night. The children didn't know it was to be their mother's last night in the house before she gave birth. Starting tomorrow, she would rest and wait for labor and everyday they'd be taken to see her. The twins were somewhat used to this, but Cora knew Samuel would not have it at all.

"Charlotte." Charlie began.

"Hmmm…" She said, holding her doll tight as she buried herself in the covers, listening to her friend and littlest brother snore.

"Get up, lets sneak downstairs."

…

"I… I wish you'd go home now." Carson said, watching his wife carefully as she went over some things in her pantry. He also wished she'd sit down.

The whole experience was a little less… exciting for Elsie who was terrified about giving birth sick of being everyone's sole focus. At this point, she was very pregnant and from the looks of it about to pop. Everywhere she went even if it was just across the servant's hall, all the eyes in the room were glued on her. Everyone she crossed paths with, did their best to fawn over or otherwise try to accommodate her. It was something she was almost agitated by and at very best it made her even more nervous about what was about to happen. Elsie found that within the past few days she'd had to hold her tongue to keep from snapping at everyone from Lord Grantham to Daisy. The only people she hadn't been on edge with were her children.

Even so, she was really feeling much better save the aggravation and a lot of her pain was gone. Dr. Clarkson had been by earlier in the week and told her that the baby had flipped around the right way and would be born just fine, something Carson was still skeptical of. Elsie sighed, rolling her eyes and holding her belly as he followed her into the kitchen.

"How much longer will it be Mrs. Carson?" Daisy asked, looking up from the cake she was making.

"Oh we've a week or so, maybe Christmas day." She said, looking back at her husband.

Elsie was agitated but somewhat happier that day and decided she wouldn't let any feelings of annoyance ruin that.

"Yes but…"

Carson was interrupted when the gong rang, a duty he'd begrudgingly handed over to Thomas during his wife's time of waiting for the baby.

"Time to go up." He supposed.

In that moment, everyone who'd been standing their scurried to their stations and Carson moved to do the same, but Elsie grabbed his jacket.

"Are you sure you're alright." He asked as they stepped into the hall together. They were alone now, though just out of everyone else's eyeshot and he took a moment to place his hands on her belly and his forehead against hers.

"I'm fine." She promised, biting her lip.

"A-and the baby?"

"Baby and I feel wonderful." She said, both of them laughed when they felt the awaited child kick, and then looked back into each other's eyes. "And we love you Mr. Carson."

"My precious wife, I love you too. But please, please rest." He said, kissing her softly before going up the stairs, leaving her smiling up at him.

…

Charlie and Charlotte found it harder than they would've imagined to sneak downstairs without getting caught and almost as soon as they got there, they discovered it was a journey they wished they would've never made.

Upstairs, Carson was having a run of the mill evening, finally convinced of his wife's promise that she was feeling just fine, that tonight would not be the night. The dining room buzzed around him and he found himself lost in its frenetic chatter, his mind finally freed of its many burdens, and at least for those few minutes he felt peace.

"Mr. Carson! Mr. Carson!" He looked up, eyes wide when he heard Beryl's anxious voice calling across the room.

"What is the meaning of this?" Carson asked sharply, both his eyebrows arching dramatically at the sight of the shaky cook as she emerged from the dining room doorway.

"I'm sorry to come up; but I'd no choice." She said, aware that some members of the family were staring and that Carson was seething, irked by the impropriety of her presence in the dining room. "But it's Mrs. Carson. Something's happening."

"WHAT?!" He cried.

"It's the baby! It's coming, and coming on strong." She said, starting to shake.

"What? I was only just with her…"

"I know, but you've got to come NOW." Beryl paused, trying her best to gather herself before elaborating. "Mr. Carson… something's not right. I've never seen her like this."

"Excuse me m'lord." Carson turned to his employer, feeling his heart rate begin to drop dramatically. "But it would seem Mrs. Carson's time is come, for the baby. Andrew…"

"It's quite alright old boy."

"Yes it's quite alright, I just cant' wait to meet the little darling." Cora cooed.

The family didn't pick up on the seriousness of the situation. Carson was almost puzzled to see the family so excited to hear of the news of his wife's labor. He was even more surprised when Mrs. Crawley stood, putting her napkin on her plate, seeming to understand the situation instinctively.

"Come along, what are we waiting for?" She asked.

Carson's breath caught in his chest, almost stopping when he looked in her eyes. He'd never seen Mrs. Crawley so concerned. Not during the war, or the births of his older three children, all of whom she'd delivered. He knew in an instant that upon hearing the details, she was worried and that stunned him to the point of making his heart nearly stop. Without a word, Mrs. Patmore led them out the room and quickly toward the green baize door.

"Why didn't you say she was so bad off?" Carson cried as they descended the staircase, hearing Elsie cry out, her screams growing louder with each step they took. Carson picked up his steps with a frenetic pace, almost pushing Mrs. Patmore aside to get to his wife.

"Elsie!" He cried.

"Hmmmmmm-ahhhhh!"

"Elsie." His breath dropped low in his throat when he saw her.

Elsie braced herself against the table in the servant's hall, a panicked Anna trying her best to hold her up. He watched her grip the table, wincing as she cried out again.

"How's she this far? I was with her not ten minutes ago!" He almost yelled, rushing to her side as he called back at Mrs. Crawley.

Mrs. Crawley paused, her eyes going blank as she watched Elsie. All of them jumped when she screamed again, but Carson moved in, wrapping his arms around her, taking her from Anna. Elsie sighed, trying as best as she could to relax now that she was in his embrace. She bit her lip, pressing her face into his chest and just allowing him to cradle her.

"I don't know!" Anna cried tearfully. The whole mess had been a shock to her and she was terrified. "Her waters just broke and then all of a sudden she was screaming."

Carson looked back at Mrs. Patmore, who was clearly trying not to panic. But Mrs. Crawley stared, Carson noticing she looked even more horrified than before.

"WHAT?!" Carson thundered, seeing the panic on Mrs. Crawley's face. He knew she knew the score right away and was challenging her to answer him.

Isobel paused, biting her lip and trying to decide what to say. She'd known something was wrong when Mrs. Patmore came up, but now that she saw Elsie she was horrified. She knew what was wrong in an instant, and wondered if it was beyond help.

"WHAT?!" Carson called again as his wife moaned into his chest.

He didn't notice that his horrified twin children watched from their hiding place in their mother's sitting room. One minute they'd snuck down and been with their mother, playing a game and her back had started to hurt. When they were done, they'd gone into the sitting room to practice their reading (like she'd asked of them), the story interrupted when they heard their mother's loud scream.

"WELL?" Carson pressured.
"Call Dr. Clarkson NOW." She instructed, beginning to roll up her sleeves as the horrified twins scurried under their mother's desk and into each other's embrace.

So what do you guys think? Hospital baby? House baby? What will happen?