*whispers* It's back ...

This is a little teaser that I'm posting specifically for the old followers of "After the Fall." Some of you have scattered far and wide, away from Downton and Chelsie since the ending of the show, but I'd love for you to follow me into the future for a new upcoming sequel. It'll be titled "Welcome Home" and I'll begin to publish it in one week. This teaser bit is the first portion of that story's first chapter. Keep an eye out if you're interested - the rest of it will not be posted here, but I wanted to give you advanced notice because you were all so lovely when the original story was being written.

Also, in case you're not caught up ... This is the main fic, but it was followed by "Time Moves On," and then by "All In A Name." Those sequels are referred to here, so it may not be a bad idea to read them if you've not done so before.

So ... Welcome Home, lovelies. I've missed this Chelsie. My thanks to Hogwarts Duo for coming to see the real L'il Farm with me last summer. Those events sparked what you're about to read.

xxx,

CSotA, 16/09/18

It was a gorgeous Saturday afternoon in Misty Cove. Elsie smiled as she drove down the winding country road, shifting in her seat to make her back more comfortable. After three days of beautiful and almost frightening thunderstorms over the ocean, her spine ached more than usual, making the sun and dry air quite welcome, indeed. She looked around at the long grasses blowing in the gentle breeze and the sunlight bouncing off of window panes, pond surfaces, and the occasional lawn ornament, and her heart felt a sense of peace. This was home. As if to prove her heart right, Andy was out in his yard and spotted her car, giving her a hearty wave and a shouted greeting, one which she returned in kind through her half-open window.

She turned at the familiar white fence, and as she accelerated again to reach the moderate speed limit, her heart rate quickened. It had been several weeks since she'd been to the farm, although that wasn't out of a lack of desire. Simply put, life had been getting in their way. Grandparenting had been getting in their way, and neither Elsie nor Charles would complain one iota about that. But mixed with house-sitting for Thomas and Logan for two weeks, Juliet's visit, repair to the master bath, and the other general odds and ends of life, the time had sped by uncontrollably. It was why Elsie and Charles had so enthusiastically replied to Anna's note about coming by for a relaxing dinner on the patio by the pond - a dinner to which Beryl and Bill had also been invited. As Charles put it, it had been much too long since they'd seen their dearest friends.

She slowed once more when she neared the sign for the farm.

They've painted it, she thought, noting that its letters were now golden and shimmery instead of blue and dull. A broad smile lit up her face as she pulled into the driveway, seeing the empty paddock but knowing that once she parked and alighted from the vehicle, at least one horse would show up around the corner to greet her. It wouldn't be Scarlett - that much she knew. Her girl was much too old now to be running out to greet anyone, and Elsie realized with a pang in her heart that it wouldn't be much longer before Scarlett wouldn't be occupying one of the stalls at the L'il Farm at all.

Twenty-six. She heaved a deep sigh.

Still, she pushed that melancholy thought out of her mind as she put the truck in park and climbed out, giving the door a good slam to close it tightly. The dull red hue didn't pick up the sunlight as it once had when it was brand new, and the multitude of scratches and dings that made Charles cringe only made Elsie more determined than ever to keep the old thing. After all, it had been the first birthday gift her husband had ever given her, back in the early days when she still wasn't sure she'd be calling him her husband at all.

Sure enough, as she crossed the driveway, one of Anna's newest acquisitions to the farm came out from the back door of the barn to greet her. Elsie grabbed a couple of carrots from the sack by the door and met the tall, white horse by the fence, where he lowered his head to nuzzle hers before accepting the treats she offered.

"My, my, Fred. Aren't you looking handsome today?" She reached up and stroked his mane, which must have just been brushed that morning. "Looking ready for a show soon, I think. Who's riding you these days? Is it Scotty, or maybe Lisa?"

"It's Rachel," came Anna's voice from several yards back, and Elsie turned swiftly in surprise.

"Anna!"

The younger woman pulled Elsie into a fierce hug, one which she returned just as tightly. "It's been much too long, dear. You're looking wonderful!"

"As are you," Anna replied with a laugh. "I think someone wants the rest of his carrots."

"Oh, quite right."

Anna joined her friend at the fence as they chatted about the farm, and she got Elsie caught up with information regarding clients and the contractors whom Anna and John had recently met with about fixing the barn's roof and water supply pipes. Over the years, Anna and John had become owners of the house outright, but Elsie still maintained the controlling share in the ownership of the farm. It had allowed them all a bit of financial freedom when the house was in a rent-to-own situation, and now that those payments had been completed, capital had been freed up to repair and expand the business aspect of the farm - hands-on equine therapy for children struggling with various psychological and physical needs - in addition to the Christmas tree farm that John still managed in the winter months. Business was booming on both ends, and the four friends were grateful for how easily it had all worked out.

"I'm sorry the boys aren't here," Anna said. "They'd have loved to have seen you."

"Well, let's just make sure it won't be another couple of months before we see you all again," Elsie replied. "Besides, it's wonderful that they wanted to spend some time with Mary's three."

"And how's Daisy?"

Elsie laughed. "About as one would expect: overtired, going crazy, and loving every second."

"Those first weeks are just so very hard," Anna said with a nod. "How I remember! John was wholly unprepared for how much energy a newborn just sucks right out of you."

"Isn't that the truth?" Elsie smiled fondly, remembering how hard it had been to get on with some semblance of her normal life when Juliet had come along.

They watched as Fred swished his tail, swatting at a couple of flies. He snorted, making Elsie laugh a bit.

"He's quite a character," Anna told her. "The kids just love him because he's absolutely immense, but he's really funny as well. Makes them laugh."

"Which is wonderful, of course." Elsie turned to look out over the property, leaning her back against the paddock fence. "It all looks great, Anna. Truly."

"Thanks! We've been so busy this year, but the painting and new fence have made a really big difference. And once the roof and water issues are sorted, we can add the new stalls to the barn, too."

Elsie took a deep breath, inhaling the smell of the freshly-cut grass mixed with the scent of the barn. It had always been a comfort to her, that smell, and today it didn't disappoint.

They stood and chatted for a bit longer, and then suddenly Anna quieted.

"What is it?" Elsie asked.

"I think you have a visitor," Anna replied with a hesitant smile. "I wondered when he'd show up."

"Charlie?" Elsie asked, assuming quite incorrectly that it was her husband who'd appeared behind her. It didn't even dawn on her until a few seconds after that she'd have heard his car approach. She turned around, and any other reply she might have had simply died in her throat.

Anna watched as Elsie paled, but before she had time to worry, she watched a broad smile cover her friend's entire face, saw the color return, and saw Elsie's eyes fill with tears.

"Anna," Elsie whispered. "Why didn't you say?"

"Well, I was hoping it would be a nice surprise."

Elsie stood still, patient and unafraid, as the horse who'd so recently appeared in the paddock slowly made his way to where she stood at the fence. She lifted her hands slowly, waiting for him to sniff them and deem her acceptable. As soon as he did, she placed her hands on his head, patted his nose, and allowed her fingertips to brush the familiar pale spot on his forehead. A small tear escaped her eye and in her emotionally overwhelmed state, all she could manage to utter was one whispered word ...

"Star."

I'm woefully out of practice writing in this universe, but I hope you'll all jump on the new story and continue the ride. Thanks so much! A wee review would, of course, make my day. xxx