Chapter 60

A/N: Thank you very much for all of your support for this fic. I am so grateful for all of the reviews, as well as the reblogs and likes on tumblr. And I have never had as many favs/follows for a story before! I have really enjoyed writing this gentle story and although I have romanticised at times, I hope I have kept Charles and Elsie pretty much in character. Hope you enjoy this final chapter x

A year later …

"Room for one more?" Mr Carson cheered, as he strode happily through the back door of the cottage with Master George on his shoulders.

As Mr Carson lifted the young lad down, he wiggled him in the air prompting George to giggle uncontrollably and delighting the girls sitting around the table with his wife.

"Oh Master George, it is lovely to see you … I thought you were in London," Mrs Carson smiled warmly, gladly taking the young lad from her husband's arms to give him a cuddle.

Mr Carson kissed his wife's cheek and gave her bottom a gentle pat, out of sight of the children. She enjoyed this loving greeting almost as much as he did.

"We just got back Mrs Carson, on the train … I missed you," he said, wrapping his arms around her neck and snuggling into her.

Mr Carson smiled warmly; he knew that he had always been the favourite of Lady Mary but there was no doubt that her son's favourite was his wife. The young lad adored her and they had grown very close over the last year as the Grantham children had visited the cottage regularly. Today, Sybbie and Marigold were joining Mr and Mrs Carson for afternoon tea. Sybbie and her father had been visiting Downton for the last month and would be returning to America soon.

"I see you young ladies have already started on the cakes," he said joyfully, as he looked down at the two cheeky faces whose mouths were covered in cream and chocolate.

Mrs Carson placed George on a seat, poured him some milky tea and gave him an iced bun. He grinned excitedly at her and took a huge bite from his bun.

"Marigold and I have but Essie only had some milk," Sybbie explained happily, as they all looked lovingly into the bassinet on the chair beside Mrs Carson's seat, and the baby girl gurgled on cue.

"Is that my little sweetheart chattering away," Mr Carson said, as he tenderly picked up the tot and held her to his broad, warm chest.

There is no doubt who Essie has a soft spot for, Mrs Carson smiled, as the young girl cooed contentedly against her husband's chest. The truth was, the young girl had great affection for both her Grandma and Grandpa. The former Housekeeper had been very moved when Anna and Mr Bates decided to name their baby girl after her. The girl was going to be called 'Elsie' but then Anna heard Becky fondly calling her sister 'Essie' during one of her regular visits and Anna loved it immediately. Essie was now six months old and she stayed overnight with the Carson's at least once a week when there was a late function at the House.

"Mr Carson, your face goes all funny when you hold Essie!" Sybbie said, pointing at him and giggling loudly.

He sat down in between Sybbie and Marigold on the one remaining seat, still rocking Essie in his arms. He rewarded the girls and George with an even funnier expression as he wiggled his eyebrows too. Sybbie reached out and squeezed Mr Carson's cheek delightedly and then began to gently stroke Essie's face as she chatted away to the baby girl. Marigold had a much quieter disposition, much like her mother, but she was just as lovely as Sybbie and George. The shy girl watched happily as George ate his cake and Sybbie played with Essie in Mr Carson's arms. Mrs Carson bent down and kissed the Marigold's hair, giving her a caring wink. Marigold immediately clambered onto Mrs Carson's knee, happy to watch the others around the table from this cosy vantage point.

As George finished the last crumbs of his iced bun, his eyes lit up with a thought.

"Mrs Carson, are we having ice-cream?" he asked eagerly.

The children never got such delicious treats at home.

"Well of course we are, what kind of afternoon tea would this be without ice-cream?" she smiled, and the three children squealed with pleasure.

Mr and Mrs Carson shared a blissful, happy glance across the table.

######

"I feel like I have run a marathon," Mr Carson sighed, as he cuddled his wife to his chest, both lying lazily on the sofa together, alone at last.

"Well, if you will chase them around the garden pretending to be a monster …" she chuckled, as he kissed her hair.

"Miss Marigold said my name today, I think that may be the first time she has ever spoken to me," Mr Carson said proudly.

"Oh she's a sweet child, thoughtful like her mother. Lady Edith's new beau seems lovely too, he was with her when she dropped the children off … he's owns an Art Gallery in London and he invited us to visit," she replied.

"Did he? That's very generous. Miss Sybbie gets more and more like her mother every day too, she is the image of her in looks and personality," he said wistfully, as his wife gave him an extra squeeze. They all still missed Lady Sybil greatly.

"She really is … although there's certainly some Irish charm from her father as well. I'll miss them both when they go back to America next week," she said, as her husband took her hand in his and brought it to his lips.

"I know you will Elsie but you'll see them again soon. I bumped into Mr Branson in the Village. It sounds like his business is doing well. He sounded very happy with his life in Boston and so that's good," Mr Carson said, hoping to reassure his wife.

"Yes it is. It's wonderful. And Master George is a handsome young chap isn't he? Bright as a button and with the biggest heart. He certainly likes Mr Talbot, he talked about him non-stop when you took the girls out to see the pond," she smiled.

"Mmmm …" he replied, still not fully convinced about Lady Mary's new husband.

"Charles Carson, I have not seen Lady Mary this happy in a long time. You would never think any man was good enough for her," she sighed, playfully slapping his chest.

"True enough," he chuckled, cupping his wife's face in his hands and kissing her deeply.

Lady Mary had wed Henry Talbot just before Christmas and the Carson's, much to the former-Butler's fluster, had been wedding guests. It had been a much smaller scale wedding than her first marriage but an intimate and sincere occasion all the same. It had also been Mrs Patmore's final swansong and the wedding feast would have rivalled any London soirée. The Cook had retired to her cottage early in the new year and the cottage now boasted an indoor lavatory and a much enhanced kitchen. Her trainee Cook, Mrs Carson, now had a repertoire of a dozen dishes which she could cook confidently, and a few more dishes that were still in the experimental stage! Mr Carson also had a couple of simple meals that he enjoyed cooking for them and they made sure to eat out at least once a week, at one of the many local restaurants in Ripon and Thirsk.

As their kiss ended, Mrs Carson settled herself against his chest again, tucking her head under his chin.

"Umm Charles ... I really should cook something, we've only eaten cake and ice cream all day," she said tiredly, her mind willing but her body exhausted.

"How about we nip to the Grantham Arms for a bite to eat? It will save you cooking and it's a lovely evening for a stroll," he suggested.

"Sounds perfect," she sighed happily.

######

"Umm, I do love fish and chips," Mr Carson said contentedly, as he held his wife's hand, walking down the lane from the Village. The sun was setting and it was a crisp, early-summer evening. The only sound was the birdsong coming from the nearby trees.

"I know you do … and don't think I didn't see you pinching my chips every time I looked away!" she replied, reaching up to kiss his cheek, as he chuckled happily.

These relaxed evenings together, free to do as they pleased, and so happy to be in each other's company, were their favourite times of all. Retirement had proved enchanting for the pair, with so much time to enjoy together, as well as time to savour with their family and friends.

Mr Carson gazed soppily at his wife, brushing some loose strands of hair gently away from her face. They had stopped walking and as he continued to caress her face, he whispered,

"I love you Elsie Carson and I couldn't be happier,"

The adoration in his eyes could not be missed, as he softly kissed her lips.

"I love you too Charles," she smiled, as she returned his gentle kiss.

"Shall we go home my love?" he asked, kissing her one last time and taking her hand again.

"I think we should … it's a big day tomorrow," she smiled.

"It certainly is," he replied, as they walked home hand in hand, feeling very blessed indeed.

######

"I have never been in a taxi before," Becky said excitedly, as she looked out of the window at the passing countryside.

"I know, it's a special treat as we don't want to be late," Mrs Carson said, as she smiled at her sister.

They had collected Becky from Lytham St Anne's earlier that morning. She was staying with them for four nights and they were currently on their way to Ripon.

"Essie, Sylvia said that because men don't have boobies, they have something else instead … but she wouldn't tell me what? Do you know?" Becky asked earnestly, looking at her sister in anticipation.

Mrs Carson spluttered with shocked laughter as her husband almost had a coronary in the seat beside her. His eyes were as wide as saucers as he stared at his wife in panic. He then realised the driver must have heard too, although he was admirably still concentrating on the road ahead.

Mrs Carson could not help but smile. Where on earth did that question come from? My sister really does pick her moments and she really does come out with some corkers at times, she thought fondly. Mr Carson coughed loudly, clearing his throat as he looked down at his toes, his cheeks flushing pink.

"Yes, I do Becky … how about we talk about it when we get home," Mrs Carson smiled, as she held her sister's hand.

"Yes, great Essie. I knew you would know," Becky replied proudly.

Mrs Carson began to giggle, as she wrapped her sister up in a loving hug. She gazed at her husband, who had finally dared to look up. He shook his head with a broad grin, as he exhaled a long, relieved breath.

"Never let anyone say retirement is dull," he exclaimed, as he and his wife laughed heartily, happy tears welling in their eyes, as Becky, with an elated smile on her face, joined in too.

######

The three climbed the steps excitedly, all dressed in their finest clothes for this special occasion. Mrs Carson and her sister had gone shopping during Becky's last visit and chosen new outfits for today. Becky could not stop twirling around in her new dress, she loved it so much. They had even bought Mr Carson a new tie and cuff links.

As they reached the small room, Daisy was already waiting with Alfred. The young couple had begun courting after Alfred was appointed Head Chef at a restaurant in York. It seemed he had finally seen sense and their friendship had blossomed into love. However, Daisy was in no rush to settle down, she enjoyed her role as Cook at the Abbey. One day she did hope they might open a restaurant of their own and if they did, she planned to play an equal role in the venture.

The young couple embraced Mr and Mrs Carson and Becky as the five sat down at the front of the room. The close-knit group smiled with hearts full of love as they watched the service. Becky snuggled into her sister's side, as Mr and Mrs Carson clasped hands and shared loving glances throughout the ceremony. Happiness and love filled the room as the registrar finally declared,

"I now pronounce you husband and wife, you may kiss the bride."

As the happy couple kissed, Becky exclaimed delightedly,

"Essie, Mr Mason is kissing Chicken on the lips!"

The End.