SUNSET CRUISE

So… This is very likely the second to last chapter of this story… In the future, I might continue/do another sequel (after the honeymoon and onwards) however, it will be a separate story from this one.

I also have other ideas…. (one of them is an AU – if anyone is into that haha)

If you think there is anything that should be tied together, anything I've forgotten and should be resolved in the next chapter(s) – please let me know

Thanks everyone!

When they all arrived three out of the four men got off, and were welcomed back by their wives. They were each greeted their own way. Some received the usual peck on the cheek, Mr Carson got an earnest enamoured smile and Elsie also squeezed his arm - saving the kisses for later.

The women took the opportunity and showed the men their dinner (the pasties they created with their fair hands and Mrs Smith's guidance). All three were eager to try some straight away. Mr Carson reached out his hand and hovered over the pasties pensively.

"Mrs Hughes made this batch, Mr Carson, with wine and pork, I made these… with nuts and chicken." Mrs Patmore explained.

Not really hearing nor caring what the ingredients were, only who made which pasty, Mr Carson moved his hand further from his wife's creations and quickly grabbed one of Mrs Patmore's (the professional cooks').

He was hoping to be inconspicuous, but Elsie caught him red handed. He looked up at her, crumbs falling off his lips, swallowing loudly, he noticed she looked a tad offended, she huffed and raised her eyebrow at him.

"I'll try yours later, my love." He came closer to her, trying to soothe things. He found somehow calling hermy love always helped.

"Mrs Smith has really commended your wife's cooking skills, Mr Carson." Mrs Hart joined in.

"Did she?" The butler tried not to sound surprised.

"Well, not my cooking skills exactly, I wasn't very good at the putting-it-all-together part, but somehow, miraculously, it ended up tasting quite nice." Elsie explained blushing slightly.

"She's being humble, Mr Carson, she had really wiped the floors with us all." Mrs Patmore teased her friend and they both laughed wholeheartedly. The retired butler just looked at the two suspiciously, he wasn't in on the joke, plus the cook's use of language always astonished him.

"We can grab all these and take this to the boat then." Mr Hart announced suddenly, mindful of the time. "I suggest you all get dressed and then we can head off." His suggestion was met with confused looks from the ladies. "Mr Carson proposed we spend the evening on the boat and watch the sun set there, if everyone is up for it."

Bernard then glanced at the butler knowingly. Charles, however, was only interested in his wife's reaction, who's eyes were sparkling and her smile wide. She made his insides twist and turn again.

Within an hour or so, they changed and packed up and then headed back to the boat, where Mr and now also Mrs Stauch were awaiting them.

Once they boarded, they started with the pasties and red wine. Charles finally tried Elsie's pastries and was very pleasantly surprised. "We should have these for dinner at home sometimes. Do you remember how to make them?" He asked her and she felt a touch of pride.

After they finished their dinner and when it came close to sunset, Mrs Hart gave out blankets and each couple found a private spot on the boat for themselves, to enjoy the romantic moment exclusively.

"Hope you enjoyed seeing your cousin again." Mrs Patmore said as she was sitting down next to her husband.

"I really did, Beryl, seeing him, Ann, and this part of the world again."

"I had a really good time too, I must admit."

"I'm glad." He said smiling at her. "I'm glad the Carsons made up and I hope they enjoyed it too."

Remembering their argument, the cook rolled her eyes. "So am I, very glad they made up. But now they certainly look like they are enjoying themselves." She looked in their direction and then away. "Do you remember that day when you suggested-" She dithered. Looking at her friends reminded her of the ladies' chat she had that afternoon. "-when you suggested we take a bath?" Both of them started blushing immediately.

"I do." Mr Mason was a tad confused.

"Why not today, Albert?" Beryl gathered all the courage she had in her. "I won't drink much this evening."

"Alright." He took her hand in his. "I'm looking forward to it." And kissed it lightly.

On the other side of the boat stood the Carsons; they were leaning against the fence alternating between gazing at each other and the sea.

"Well, Mr Carson, this is really very lovely, thank you for arranging this." Elsie's eyes were glistening.

"You arranged the majority of the whole holiday, this is the least I could have done, especially after I've-" He looked down at his hands.

"After you what, Charlie?" She wanted to hear him say it.

"After I've ruined our time in Dorset…" He admitted shyly.

"Well-" Elsie stepped closer to him, looked away and then back at him. "I thought I was the one who ruined it for you…"

"Never," he whispered.

"Is this your way of apologising then?" Elsie asked carefully, wrapping the blanket around her more tightly.

"Hmm," he nodded. "I… I must admit I overreacted…"

Elsie didn't look at him this time, she worried she'd cut him short.

"I was upset because, well," Charles inhaled deeply. "At the time, when you went out with this Mr Vyner." He still said the man's name with disgust. "Some of the staff already knew there was something-" He swallowed. "-between us."

"What do you mean?" Elsie panicked a little. She always tried to keep her feelings and the nature of their relationship as private and confidential as possible - for both their sakes. She knew other people weren't blind, but she hoped they didn't know and let on more than they could see.

"Some of them probably picked up on it even earlier, but after the day at the beach, Thomas was teasing me about holding my hand." Mr Carson gripped the boat rail firmly to control his emotions.

"Well…" Was all Elsie could say.

"And that wasn't all. There were others."

Mrs Hughes tried to hide her smile, because she knew. "Like Mrs Patmore."

"Exactly…" He noted. "I guess it bothered me so much mainly because of how it could have looked in front of everyone - you going out with someone else."

Elsie bit her lower lip. "Well, I'm sorry it bothered you that much-"

"I'm the one apologising now, Elsie-" He insisted.

"Alright." She squeezed his arm and made his heart flutter.

"I know you weren't mine at the time." He was so glad she was now. "But I guess I was also a little more sensitive, after the day at the beach in Dorset." He wore a bloody swimsuit for her for God's sake.

She studied his face for a moment, gathering the courage to say her bit. "You used some quite strong insults, you know."

"I know." Mr Carson looked ashamed. "I'm sorry." He exhaled tiredly. "I gathered you already learned to ignore what I say when I'm angry, but I know I overstepped the mark."

She nodded. Remembering all the other times he hurt her in the past that she had to get over: a woman with no standards, a disappointment, ruthless… and the list continues. She was such a strong woman yet so vulnerable when it came to him and their relationship.

"The thing is…" Charles could feel his heartbeat in his ears. "I already loved you at the time…" He admitted. "I just assumed you did too." He said slowly and breathily, staring at her with puppy eyes.

"Well, I did you old wally." Elsie laughed hastily. "I've loved you for as long as I can remember." She swallowed when she got lost in his dark eyes. He leaned in closer and kissed her deeply, yet briefly, still mindful of their surroundings.

"Mr Carson!" Mrs Patmore's cry startled them as they broke apart. "Look ahead! There's dolphins!" They all gathered around the Masons and watched the dolphins happily jump next to the boat in awe.

"How wonderful!" Elsie exclaimed excitedly, realising she couldn't have asked for a better last evening of their holiday. Hearing the joy in her voice, Charlie took her hand, smiled down at her, and then continued staring at her contently.