A/N: Thank you all so much for the love on the last chapter! I tried to put a rush order on this one in gratitude for your support but school got in the way. It has been the most busy and hectic school experience I've ever had honestly. I'm so sorry that meant delaying this chapter as drastically as it has, but I'm glad to be giving it to you now. Thanks for reading! I hope you enjoy.

Chapter Eight

January 10, 1892

As she brought the tea over to where her sick stepdaughter lay on the sofa, her heart broke a little when she heard yet another sniffle from the sweet girl. Poor Lily was heartbroken that she couldn't go to the servant's ball. She wanted to watch her daddy dance, and maybe get to sneak a dance with him in for herself. Unfortunately, she had become ill the day before, and she was so sad she was missing it.

"Here you are, darlin," Elsie said, helping Lily to sit up slightly so that she could take a sip of the warm drink. The girl smiled weakly at her in gratitude for the soothing liquid.

"I know I'm sick, but could I have a cuddle?" she asked softly, not wanting to get Elsie sick but longing for the comfort of her arms.

"Oh my dear, of course you can," Elsie said sweetly before getting on the sofa beside the girl and laying her down gently with her head in Elsie's lap. Lily settled down with a soft sigh of content as Elsie brushed her hair back from her face and rubbed her back soothingly.

"What do you think daddy is doing now?" Lily asked, still thinking about the ball she was missing.

"Refilling drink glasses I should imagine," Elsie surmised, trying to downplay things a little bit for her stepdaughter's sake, and also knowing that she probably wasn't entirely off base either because his lordship was very fond of trying different wines and champagnes.

"Yeah, but he'll probably dance with Mary too," Lily said, "and her ladyship."

"Maybe," Elsie said, "But I'm sure neither of them can compare to you."

"I wish he could dance with me," Lily said sadly.

"You know, we could have our own ball right here when you're feeling better," Elsie said excitedly, trying to cheer her up. "It wouldn't be as big, but you could still wear a pretty dress and dance with your dad."

"Really?" Lily asked, sitting up with as much excitement as her sick body could muster.

"Yes, really," Elsie confirmed with a slight chuckle before pressing a kiss to Lily's forehead and tucking her arm gently around the girl's shoulders. "You could even invite your friend Sarah to stay the night," she said.

"Really?! And we can have a special dinner in our fancy clothes?" Lily asked.

"Sure," Elsie conceded, thinking quickly about something Lily would like that would be easy for her to make before proposing, "What about cottage pie for dinner and crepes suzette for dessert?"

"Yess!" Lily said excitedly before breaking out into a fit of coughs.

Elsie rubbed her back soothingly as she coughed and then pressed a kiss to her temple and said, "I think it's time for you to get some more soup and tea and then try to rest, hmm."

Lily nodded her head. It was obvious she was feeling miserable, but she was still excited about the prospect of having a ball at home once she was feeling better. "And you promise Sarah can come?" she asked weakly.

"Yes, my love," Elsie said, pressing another kiss to Lily's forehead before helping her stand so they could walk into the kitchen. "Only if her parents say it's alright, mind."

Lily nodded her head in acceptance of this provision as they began walking to the kitchen. She could smell the soup, and she knew it was going to help her feel a lot better. "Thank you for taking care of me," she whispered.

"I will always be here to take care of you," Elsie assured her softly as she began to ladle out some of the broth into a bowl.

"I love you, mum," Lily whispered, leaning into Elsie's side as they walked to the table.

Elsie smiled. "I love you too, sweetheart."

March 20, 1892

They had officially lived together for a year. A year ago today they had returned home from their honeymoon and began their journey together. They had gone out to dine for their actual anniversary the week prior, but Elsie wanted to mark this occasion too. Charles thought it was sweet although a little silly, but he was mostly just happy to have a meal Elsie cooked so that they could enjoy a private moment together instead of eating with 20 other people.

She had prepared all the same foods they had eaten on the first night they went out together. She had had a feeling even that long ago that she and Charles were meant to be in each other's lives forever and some recent news she had received had certainly confirmed that for her.

They were going to have a baby. A child created from their love was going to be brought into this world in seven months time. And she couldn't wait to see her husband's reaction when he found out.

At the end of their meal, Elsie was placing the dishes into the sink and Charles was sitting at the table chatting with his wife. "That was a lovely meal, Els," he said gratefully, "you didn't have to do all that, but I'm glad you did."

Elsie smiled softly. "I figured today was a day worth celebrating," she said, wiping her hands on the dish towel and walking over to him.

"It certainly is," he agreed, taking her hands in his and pressing a kiss across each set of knuckles. "I love you more with every day that passes. Each day I wake up and see you laying beside me and think how lucky am I that this incredible woman lives and works beside me."

"I am flattered, Charles," Elsie said, blushing, "I'm looking forward to our future together, whatever it may hold."

"So am I," he agreed, pulling her closer and kissing her stomach in front of him and beginning to kiss up her body. "I love you so much," he mumbled in between kisses.

"Well, hopefully you're about to love me even more when I say you've just kissed our baby."

It took him a moment to process what she had said, immediately pausing his affections to take in her words. "Wait, are you telling me what I think you're telling me?"

"I'm pregnant, Charles," she said, nodding and smiling with the widest grin he had ever seen on her face.

"Oh, love, that's wonderful news," Charles exclaimed as he got up clumsily, nearly knocking over his chair in the process. He swooped her up in his arms and lifted her off the group slightly happily exclaiming, "I am bursting with love and pride. Oh, Els, you're really carrying our child? How can I ever say thank you?"

"Put me down, Charlie," Elsie scolded lightly, "You'll hurt yourself and then what kind of butler will you be?"

Charles set her down with a light chuckle, "hopefully the kind with a wife who still loves him."

Elsie laughed at his teasing and gave his arm a pretend smack. "I'll always love you, you daft beggar. I just want you to be able to keep your job to provide for our little one."

Charles chortled slightly and pressed a soft kiss to Elsie's nose. "Don't you worry about that, my love. I will always take good care of you both."

Taking his hand and placing it over her stomach, she spoke softly to the baby within, "Your daddy may be quite a silly man at times, but he loves you so very much. As do I."

"And your mummy may like to tease me, but don't worry I will always love her just like I love you," he said in response. The joy was resonating in the air as they stood there letting the reality of the situation sink in a little. They were going to have a baby. And that baby was going to be perfect. They were in love with their little one already, and they always would be.

That night, as the pair settled down into bed, Charles decided to mention something that had been on his mind ever since Elsie told him the news. They had danced around the kitchen and had some relaxing time on the settee reading aloud to one another, but he had been in a bit of a daze the whole time if he were honest. He was just so thrilled, and he was already dreaming of that day when he would meet his and Elsie's little one.

"I know it's early, but I've already been thinking about possible names for the baby," Charles confessed as he pulled back the covers and got into bed.

"I have too," Elsie confessed with a little gleeful smirk as she padded over to the bed from her vanity. "You go first," she prompted as she settled in beside him.

"Well, I was thinking it would be nice to honor your Scottish heritage. Maybe Fiona or Freya for a girl," he suggested.

"Oh," Elsie said, "that's sweet of you."

"But you don't like it?" Charles asked, hearing something unspoken in her voice.

"No, I think the sentiment is lovely," Elsie assuaged. "Only, I have an aunt called Freya. I do like Fiona though."

"Okay, so we're agreed, then," Charles said.

"Hold on, love, it's not that simple," Elsie said, "We can't just decide in one sitting. We have to think on it, and we have to wait till we meet her to decide officially. Besides, she may not even be a girl. And there's also another name I like."

"What is it, love?" he asked genuinely.

"Julia," Elsie said reverently. "Ever since I found out I was pregnant, I haven't been able to get it out of my head."

"Julia," Charles repeated, testing it out, "It's lovely."

Elsie nodded her head against the pillow, "I thought so too," she whispered, reaching out to clasp her husband's hand underneath the sheets.

Intertwining his fingers with hers, he spoke softly, tears beginning to form in his eyes, "I can't wait to meet our little Julia Carson."

"Me either," Elsie said, tears of her own beginning to form, "Our little Julie."

"You are going to be an amazing mother, Elsie," Charles whispered, leaning in to press a kiss to his wife's forehead.

"And you are the most perfect father," Elsie said, sincerely. She loved this man more than she could possibly imagine, and she could not imagine a world where he wasn't in it. He made everything so much more special for her, and she could not imagine her future without him by her side. They were going to raise a baby together, and they were going to be beside one another for every step of this journey. Exactly how they wanted it. And exactly the way it should be for bringing a baby into it. Their little one was already so loved, and they always would be.