*This is my first Downton fic and something I'm trying out just for fun. Let me know what you think.

Chapter One- A Matter Of Inheritance

She was very rarely, if ever at a loss for words with Charlie Carson. But right then that was all she could think about: not knowing what to say to him. She was speechless and in fact, found that she could barely even breathe.

"What will we do about this?" She asked herself, still staring at the telegram as she sunk into one of the chairs in her sitting room.

Her mind swam. Would this hasten their wedding and retirement, or put it off, or worse cancel it altogether? Mrs. Hughes was so lost in thought she didn't notice Mrs. Patmore standing there in her open doorway jabbering on a mile a minute about something. Elsie looked up, with wide eyes and just stared for a moment. Mrs. Patmore caught onto her doubt-filled gaze and immediately began to panic.

"It's not another you know…another scare is it?!" She whispered that last part just incase anyone was listening.

"No! No! It's nothing like that…well perhaps it is something like that. Here… come in and shut the door, quickly."

"Should I phone Dr. Clarkson…"

"No." Elsie replied calmly. "It's nothing that warrants his assistance."

Mrs. Hughes paused again for a moment, looking down at the telegram, taking the time to carefully reread the words. Even now, the third time she'd read it, it came as such a shock and she found herself completely overwhelmed that a couple of simple sentences could have the potential to change her life forever.

"Well?" Mrs. Patmore pressed. Mrs. Hughes hesitated.

While Mrs. Patmore was her good friend, who'd stood by her through so much, but she didn't know if she was the person she should be sharing this news with… or if she should share it with anyone right then. She was overwhelmed and didn't know what to do, or even if she'd do anything at all. She didn't want Carson to hear or suspect a thing until her head was clear and she was sure of what she wanted. This was a serious subject, almost more serious than her scare had been: and Carson had found her out then precisely because she'd told Beryl and because she'd not been tight lipped enough.

Even in the midst of her confusion, Mrs. Hughes smiled at the thought of his joy the night he'd been told she was well. She knew that would always be one of her most treasured memories because it was the moment she'd realized that he loved her back and she'd long loved him. Elsie wondered for a split second if perhaps she shouldn't just take the newly discovered news straight to him so they could decide it together… and then, without another thought, the fear of rejection by her love came creeping back, clouding her judgment: she had so looked forward to their shared future. She felt like a weak schoolgirl in even beginning to think this way but her heart broke a little at the mere thought that he might not want her because of this news.

"Who died?" Mrs. Patmore asked, studying her friend's still sullen face.

"A cousin, the only cousin I had left I'm afraid."

"Oh?"

"Yes um…Mrs. Patmore perhaps you could fetch us some tea… alright?"

"Sure, sure." Mrs. Patmore was confused and even more uncertain now about Elsie's attitude.

A cousin had died and it seemed strange to her that she didn't seem sad, only very burdened.

Meanwhile, Mrs. Hughes was glad to have gotten rid of Beryl for a moment. She took a deep breath and put her head in her hands.

"Calm down lass." She warned herself quietly. "Calmness is key..."

Part of Mrs. Hughes thought she should go and tell her ladyship. The family was generous after all, and Cora a sweet woman, perhaps they'd be inclined to assist? Another part of her, almost instinctively, felt the need to make a trip over to Crawley House: matters like this were Isobel Crawley's forte. She'd been the first person to come to mind after reading the telegram and Mrs. Hughes knew without a doubt that she would know what to do… But then there was Mr. Carson. If he was to be her husband he had every right to make an equal share of this decision with her. How could she not unburden herself to him of all people?

"You're not pregnant are you?" Beryl asked as she came back into the room, tea tray in hand, and shut the door.

"Mrs. Patmore!" Elsie burst in surprise "Have you gone…"

"Oh you know I'm just teasin! Besides, you couldn't be more alarmed if you were expecting."

"I didn't say I wasn't expecting…"

"Expecting, and a relative's death…hmm." Mrs. Patmore contemplated as she poured them both a cup of tea. "That speaks of inheritance."

"That's right…." Elsie hesitated, not knowing if you could really call it that. "Inheritance."

"But isn't that a good thing? So you come into a little more money just before yar weddin' that's nothing ta scoff about!"

"Well you see… it's not exactly money…"

….

"This is wonderful!" Isobel enthused.

Mrs. Hughes had told Beryl her news, which of course had caused the cook to pass out cold for a few minutes. After she brought her around, she made her promise to keep her secret, and then headed over to Crawley House uninvited hoping that Isobel would understand her predicament: she of course was wrong about that assumption.

"Mrs. Crawley forgive me and I know I came here with my problem but… I don't see how it's wonderful. In fact I'm very worried." She confided.

"I'd love to do it all over again." She said, reaching behind her and grabbing a picture off the table.

Mrs. Hughes put her head down, realizing it was a picture of Matthew. She felt bad complaining about something that Mrs. Crawley clearly wanted more than she did. In fact, she'd never deeply regretted missing out on the experience in question at all… and now to do it in retirement…

"I'm not thinking selfishly I'm really not but…and if things were a little different I would love to….but…" Elsie bit her lip. "It's just that Mr. Carson and I were just about to start a life together. With just enough money saved for the two of us and the two of us alone… and to be quite honest we're healthy and happy for now but at our age who really knows when…"

"Oh yes that's right." Isobel's face fell as she put down the photograph of her late son. She hadn't considered this at all and when she thought of it she realized that Mrs. Hughes' logic about their age applied to her as well and that made her sad.

"I hope I'm not imposing in asking ya this, but I've seen you help so many people and I don't have a clue what to do about this."

"It's alright. You're right Mrs. Hughes. Perhaps this is not something you and Mr. Carson should be taking on. I'll look into some options for you."

"Thank you, really thank you."

Isobel bid her farewell and Elsie was about to leave when Isobel stopped her suddenly.

"You're shocked and a bride to be." The former nurse reminded.

"Yes." Elsie conceded. "That's true."

"I'll be happy to help you in anyway I can. Really I mean it: anyway. But that said, while I look for options for you please consider that this might be a blessing and not a curse after all, plenty of good people were raised by Grandparents, Mrs. Hughes."

…

Elsie needed to be in a hurry but decided to take the time to walk back to Downton slowly. Her heart was heavy and she was no less confused than when she'd first read the telegram earlier in the day. She was not used to this. She was always the one who offered the help, solved the problems and of course, carefully guarded everyone's secrets. It was strange to need rescuing of her own in this way: much more so than it had been during her cancer scare and she just didn't now what to make of it.

"There you are love!" Came a loud, jubilant voice.

She looked up almost jumping when she realized it was Charles.

"I've been looking for you, where've you been?" He asked.

She did not reply but simply hugged him tight, burying her face in his chest. He stiffened, surprised for a second before wrapping his arms around her and beginning to rub her back. Somehow she felt calm in that moment. That quiet, still voice in her head she'd ignored because of her panic had been right: he was all she needed.

"Charles?" She sniffled.

"What's the matter?"

He'd actually known something was wrong hours earlier when he'd seen Mrs. Patmore go into her quarters with tea and shut the door, but he didn't say so.

"Charlie um…I got a telegram this morning: my only cousin um…a second cousin actually. He and his wife died in an accident yesterday morning."

"Oh!... That's awful!"

"Yes but… you see there's the matter of his will."

He tilted his head and gave her a questioning gaze just as Mrs. Patmore had. Elsie decided to just come right out with it.

"I don't know what to do…"

"You?" He laughed, trying to make her feel better about whatever the situation was. "You always know what to do."

"Oh not this time: ya see I'm afraid you won't want me anymore."

"Elsie Hughes! Nothing in this world could ever make me not want you!"

"Well I hope that's true. I certainly feel that way about you." She said he reached down to wipe the tears off her cheeks.

"What is it, love?"

"Charles how would you…"

"You can tell me anything." He reassured.

"Charles have you ever thought about having a family with me?"

"What?!"

"You see that's what my cousin has left to me: his children, twins actually and they will be here on Friday."