A/N: I want to thank all of you for your lovely reviews, encouragement, kind thoughts and words with this story. It's been a great journey in writing it but I feel it has to be wrapped up at this point. I've got other things, as you all know, that I need to finish!

Klswhite: this is the first time i've ever had a beta and i have to say it was a GREAT experience. Your input, edits, correction was INVALUABLE! THANK YOU THANK YOU!

Epilogue: We've moved ahead 6 months...

Charles and Elsie married in a private ceremony on the back garden of the home where their love affair really began, almost 6 months to the day they reunited. Elsie quickly found out Joe had no money and when he attempted to get hers, Rosamund Painswick had shown up at her door with a folder containing information and photographs of Joe's many trysts and shady dealings. Rosamund had a bone to pick with Joe. He had dumped her for Elsie way back when and while she thanked her lucky stars she didn't end up with him, she had always wanted to get back at him. She had secretly hired a private investigator to follow him 2 years prior, hoping one day Elsie would come to her senses and leave him. The contents of the folder were enough to shut him up.

Elsie kept the house in Woodhouse Eaves, told Joe she didn't want the monstrosity in London and she and Charles had moved there. They had already started renovating and making it their own place. Charles kept his flat in Finchley so when they were in the city, mostly to see the boys and baby "Charlie", they had a place to stay. Charles put in his notice to retire at the end of the year and Elsie left the firm almost immediately. She had never been a house wife and she wanted nothing more than to be a wife to Charles and a granny to the little one who was so blessedly brought into her life by way of the man she had loved for all of her adult life.

Charles spent an afternoon with Alice right after Charlie was born and much to his pleasant surprise she was thrilled he was moving on and with Elsie. She confessed she'd always felt like she was second best to her. She thanked Charles for his faithfulness and love for her throughout the years. With tears in their, they embraced each other as she left and silently said goodbye to the relationship they had known. Charles and Elsie spent a good amount of time in the city and enjoyed evenings at the flat with the baby between them while Ian and Sarah enjoyed some alone time. Elsie had bonded so quickly with the little lad that she often went on her own when Charles was busy to visit him.

Often, Charles smiled and thanked God above for this new found love and life. He could honestly say he had never been happier. He and Elsie were inseparable. They spent lazy days in bed, making love, talking, crying even when they spoke of past regret, opportunities lost to save one another. They took leisurely walks around the property, swam and lay by the pool many days, and had even started going to church in the village. They were beginning to meet new friends and forge relationships in the community. Charles was planning a cricket tournament on the pitch at their home. He was like a school lad when he was on the pitch. Elsie would stroll out with him and watch him practice. It always made her smile.

Elsie turned into a different woman, happier and more carefree than ever before. She was more confident and comfortable with who she was when she was with Charles. She didn't wear make up when they stayed around the house because Charles never failed to tell her and make her feel beautiful no matter what, something Joe never did. He had always demanded she look her best and poked fun at her appearance if she didn't wear make up or dress posh enough. She was slowly learning to except who she was and how much Charles loved her. It was changing her life for the better. In turn, Charles was enjoying being a man who was needed and having a woman who desired him in every way. She was such an ego boost for him; made him feel like the young man who loved and desired her so many years ago. He loved to watch her get ready for bed, to watch her routine of preparing herself for him. There was nothing off limits when it came to their sex life. Elsie was physically fit and the actual act of love making brought out an energy and vivacity in her that drove him mad with desire.

Elsie had lost herself in the process of trying to please a selfish husband and a career that was mundane at best. Charles had lost himself in a boring marriage that neither challenged or encouraged him. He had built walls he didn't even know was there until he reconnected with Elsie; until finding what once was lost with her.

End