Snowbound:

Their love nest was incredibly warm. Charles had seen to the fire before the first snowflake fell and had made certain to keep it going once the blizzard really set in. Elsie sat on the end of the sofa, her perfectly steeped tea at her fingertips on the end table, her new book in hand, and her lap covered by the warm blanket Charles had brought down earlier that day from their bedroom. She was perfectly content to be in her own home, surrounded by her own things, and with the man she loved.

It was their first winter as husband and wife and she was enjoying the quiet time with him that the large snowfall outside had afforded them. She only wished that she had felt better leading up to the record setting storm. Dr. Clarkson had assured them that Elsie merely had a stubborn cold, nothing at all to worry about, though to Charles that only meant he should worry more. Warm, hearty soups, breads, and Beecham's powders for her minor aches had been administered by her husband with love and care and Elsie had been most grateful for her attention.

However, as she sat by the fire, attempting to read, she was growing more and more agitated with her adoring husband. She'd lost count of the number of times he'd sighed just in the last hour. He's stoked the fire no less than five, and had crossed the room to the window to comment on the current state of the snowfall at least three.

"It's still snowing, Elsie. I cannot remember a time when we've had this much snow. It's a good thing we have enough provisions in the house to last at least a week."

"Yes, I'm thankful we were able to do some shopping when we visited Dr. Clarkson the other day. Otherwise, we might be sitting here contemplating what we had in the cupboards."

"Nonsense! You do an excellent job of keeping everything well stocked, even if we don't take many meals here. I'm sure we'd have found plenty to eat." He closed the curtain and made to put another log on the fire.

"Don't you dare add another log to that fire! It's warm enough in here as it is, and we'll be going up to bed sooner rather than later. As it is, I'm about to break out into a sweat."

Charles was at her side in an instant, feeling her forehead and checking her wrist for a temperature or an increase in her heart rate. "Are you not feeling well? I can get you something, if you'd like," he said, hovering over her a little more than necessary.

Elsie rolled her eyes and tossed the lap blanket off to the side. "What I would like, Mr. Carson, is to get out of this house. I think we're both tired of being held hostage by the snow, and it'll do us both some good for a change of scenery."

He was already shaking his head by the time she completed her request. "Absolutely not. It's out of the question, and that's final. You've been under the weather. It's bitterly cold outside, and if something were to happen, Dr. Clarkson would have a terrible time making his way out to see you. I won't risk it."

"You misunderstand me, Charles. I'm not asking for permission. I'm telling you, we're going for a short walk. Even if it's just to the end of the lane and back a few times. The brisk air will do us good, and it will be nice to see the snow falling around us instead of past the window pane." She stood and tossed the blanket on the back of the sofa. "If you don't want to go with me, that's fine. I won't force you. But, I would prefer your company to going alone," she said softly, hoping to convince him to join her.

Charles had never been able to deny his lovely bride anything, even before they were married but especially now that they were. His trepidation at going on the walk was overshadowed by his desire to make her happy, though he had to try at least one more tactic before completely giving in to her whim. "And what if one of us falls? It's sure to be slippery out there and the snow accumulation won't make it easy for walking, even to the end of the lane as you suggested. I'd be surprised if we could get five paces from the front door."

"We won't fall because you won't let us fall, love," she said, slipping her arms around his waist and giving him a hug. You'd never let anything happen to me so I am not the least bit worried about putting on my warm clothes and venturing out into the snow. My handsome, strong husband will protect me from the vicious snow monsters," she teased, giving him a little squeeze before kissing the underside of his jaw.

He leaned down and captured her lips with his, softly and slowly savoring the moment of tenderness and warmth between them. When he pulled back, he rubbed his nose with hers and sighed, resting his forehead against hers. "Is this because I've been so restless all day? If so, I'm sorry. I will find something to occupy myself so you're not bothered," he promised with sincerity.

She caressed his cheek and smiled. "It's partly that, but you're not the only one who is growing a little restless. You haven't let me do anything in days. The most exercise I've had this past week is walking up and down the stairs or to the loo. I'm not accustomed to being a woman of leisure and having a handsome butler waiting on me hand and foot."

"And where did you procure this handsome butler of yours? The only man I've seen around here is me, and I certainly wouldn't classify myself as handsome."

Elsie scoffed and shook her head. "Oh, Charlie! You have no idea how some of the women in the village look at you, and even some of those ladies who have been guests at Downton. Do not sell yourself short, love. You are quite the catch, and I'm not just saying that because you're my catch! "

He brought her hands to his lips and kissed her knuckles. "They might think I'm a catch, as you put it, but you're the only woman who had any chance of reeling me in," he said with a sly grin. "What do you say we go into the kitchen and see if we have all the ingredients to bake a cake or shortbread?"

She took a step around him and swatted him playfully on his bottom. "After our walk, Mr. Carson, after our walk. Then, perhaps, depending on how tired we are, I may have a few more ideas on how to entertain ourselves."

He followed her up the staircase and into their bedroom, watching as she began to pull out some of her warmer clothes, extra socks, and a scarf to cover her head and ears. He admired her resolve and her ability to twist him around her little finger. But, more importantly, he loved her and was so very happy being married to her. She happened to look up as that very thought crossed his mind, leaving him with a soppy grin on his face.

"Whatever's that face for, and shouldn't you be layering up? I don't want you catching a chill so make sure to put these on," she said, tossing him another pair of socks and his warmer gloves.

"If you must know, Mrs. Carson, I am smiling because I am married to a beautiful woman who is so determined to go outside during a blizzard that she's willing to forego all common sense and has convinced me to go along with her."

She crossed the room and stood between his legs, looping her arms around his neck and leaning into his body. "You flatter me, darling, but I thank you for it and for going along with me. I think we'll both benefit from the brisk walk in the snow." She leaned down and whispered against his ear. "And later, maybe you can think of a way or two to warm me up. I know I already have an idea or two in mind for you," she said before nipping playfully at his ear lobe.

His arms wrapped around her waist and settled firmly on her bottom, pulling her deeper into his embrace. "I can think of several things and we wouldn't even need to leave this room," he replied with a cheeky grin.

She swatted his chest and gave him a quick kiss to his lips. "You make that sound a little risqué."

"And if I did?" he said, reminding them both of their conversation that day at the beach.

"Then, your wife is going to ask you to hold on to those thoughts. The sooner we take our walk, the sooner we'll be back and can … discuss … your ideas and mine."

After a few more flirty moments and some mild banter later, Charles and Elsie stepped out of their warm little cottage and into the crisp winter atmosphere. Snowflakes were still swirling from the clouds to the ground, adding to the thick blanket of white which already covering the earth. Elsie shivered a little as a strong wind whipped around them, her cheeks feeling bite of the cold Charles had tried to warn her about earlier. Not to be put off, she looped her arm through his and gave him a brilliant smile. "Off we go, Mr. Carson."

Even Charles had to admit that being outside and taking in the sights of the trees covered in snow, their boughs heavily laden with the additional weight, the way the dying daylight cast a magical glow across their path, and the hushed tones of nature, their footsteps crunching in the snow the only real noise to be heard was worth every worry he had about the excursion.

He stole a glance at Elsie, taking in her pink cheeks and the extra spring in her steps. "Are you happy, Elsie, truly happy?" he asked, quite out of the blue.

She paused, halfway down the lane, and turned to face her husband. "What's brought this on?" The look in his eyes told her he was very serious, and he deserved an answer. "I am, Charlie, very happy and not just to be out of the house. I'm happy with us, with our life, with … well, everything. I've never been happier. YOU are the reason. Surely, you must know that." She stood on her tiptoes and kissed his cheek then gave his lips a peck.

"I just wanted to make certain, Elsie. I know I grumble from time to time, and I infuriate you on occasion." He held up his hands to squash her rebuttal. "It's true. No sense in denying it," he said with a smile. "Only this afternoon you were ready to throw you book at me. I could see the fire in your eyes. But, I do so love you, you know, with everything in me. I only protested the walk because I was concerned for your health."

She wrapped her arms around him and hugged him tightly as the snow began to fall harder. "I understand, and I would have probably fussed about you going out had you just recovered from a cold. I'm sorry I worried you, but thank you for accompanying me on the little trek. I wouldn't have enjoyed it if you'd stayed behind."

He cupped her cheek with his gloved hand. "And I wouldn't have missed walking with my beautiful wife for anything in the world."

"Your wife is getting rather chilled. You were right about it being bitterly cold, though I have an idea that might make us both happy."

He caught the sparkle in her eyes and it reminded him of the way sunlight dances along the snowflakes after the clouds have cleared. "Oh, and what's that, dear? Tea, hot chocolate, something stronger?"

She shook her head and gave him a seductive, knowing look. "I thought that since we were both chilled the bone, we might help get each other warm."

"Go on. I'm listening," he said, already leading her back the house.

"You take care of the brandy and the fire in the bedroom while I run us a hot bath." She bit her bottom lip, knowing exactly what that little act did to her husband. "I'll be waiting for you. Then, while you're washing my back, you can tell me more about this idea you had for staying warm before we took our walk."

Charles and Elsie quickly retraced their steps back to their little love nest having learned a very valuable lesson. Being snowbound wasn't as bad … as long as they were snowbound together.

The End.

A/N: Thanks so much for your support and reviews. I don't know how often this will be updated. That will depend on the Chelsie prompts and how often they inspire me.