It has been a while (October that is) since I added a one shot to this list. So here is the newest one, finally. Hope you enjoy!

Overnight Guest

Jack (2 ½)

After having a quick meeting with Mrs. Patmore, Elsie was walking out of the kitchens, surprised to see Lady Grantham rushing to find her. There was panic on her face. Seeing Elsie, she stopped.

"Mrs. Hughes," her panic voice started. Elsie could feel dread feeling her frame. Something was terribly wrong.

"Your ladyship," Elsie carefully questioned. "Is everything alright?" Cora's head shook and Elsie's hands fell onto Cora's hands. They were shaking.

"I'm afraid not. It's Anna." Elsie's stomach lurched and she suddenly felt sick. If Cora was this distressed, it must be bad.

"Anna? What's happened to Anna?" Elsie quickly asked.

"She's lost a lot of blood. They are rushing her and the baby to the hospital."

What? Elsie thought to herself. The baby was born? It was too early. She stumbled back a few steps and thankfully Daisy was able to steady her.

"But….." Her voice shook. She needed to know more, but she was too overcome to ask the right questions.

"Mary is with Anna and Tom is off to pick up John. Mary has asked that you stay here for Jack." Oh Jack, her little godson, Jack.

"I will take him home with me this evening," Elsie found her voice.

"I'll update you as soon as I hear anything," Cora promised. "Please go home if you need to."

Cora disappeared back up the stairs and Elsie felt her body beginning to shake. She shook her head and straightened her shoulders.

"Mrs. Hughes?" Daisy carefully asked, her hand still holding her steady. Anger overtook Elsie and she shrugged Daisy's hand away.

"I'll be fine, Daisy. Go back to work," Elsie barked. She then rushed down to her office and closed the door. It was then that she allowed herself to break down for the girl she loved.

-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-

Elsie asked Ms. Baxter to tell Nanny to bring Jack and his things down when she had the chance. Once Nanny had taken the other children down before dinner, she brought Jack downstairs.

Upon seeing Jack, Elsie could feel more tears wanting to escape, but she wouldn't allow him to see her upset. She offered him a bright smile and quickly took him from Nanny's arms.

"You want to come to Godmama's house?" She asked him. His head nodded. "Good. We'll go and see Mr. Carson."

"With Mummy? Papa?" More tears filled her eyes, but she blinked them away.

"Soon, Jack. Come on, love, let's go."

On the walk to her cottage, Jack chose to walk. For that, Elsie was grateful. While Jack wasn't heavy, holding him for the entire walk would not have been easy for her.

The entire walk Jack picked up flowers along the path. He would run off to the side and grab a fistful of flowers, making Elsie pause.

"Jack, what are you planning on doing with all of those?"

"Sybbie!" He simply answered. At that, Elsie had to laugh. It was no secret that little Jack liked spending time with little Miss Sybbie.

"They'll be dead by the morning. Why don't you pick some on the way back in tomorrow?" The little boy pondered this for a minute and then dropped all but one back onto the grass. Then he ran up to Elsie and handed her the lone flower.

"For me?"

"Yes, Godmama!"

When they walked into the cottage, Charles's brows furrowed at the sight of the little boy.

"Elsie? What is Jack doing here?"

"He's staying the night with us," Elsie simply explained, walking toward the guest room to set up a small place for the little boy to sleep. Charles followed behind her, not happy with her explanation.

"But why?"

Elsie turned and glanced around for Jack. He had found some cards on the table and was happily spreading them out on the floor. Making sure Jack couldn't hear her, she whispered to Charles,

"Anna's had the baby and both are very ill. They've been rushed to the hospital. Lady Mary has asked we keep Jack until they are back home." If Charles was going to argue, he was kept quiet by the fact that this was Lady Mary's request.

"Well, of course," Charles said, shuffling awkwardly on his feet. "Will Anna and the baby be alright?"

Elsie inhaled sharply and shook her head, "I don't know."

"Oh Elsie," Charles lovingly replied, reaching out to touch her shoulder. While he knew Anna and cared about her, he didn't have the same connection with her that Elsie did.

"I'll be alright. Right now, we need to get Jack fed and put to bed."

-X-X-X-X-X-X-

Elsie didn't have any children's books in her home to read to Jack. So that night, she had to improvise and make up a story to tell Jack. Jack had crawled into her lap and rested his head against her shoulder, as she told the story to him.

She was grateful that Jack hadn't asked for his parents since he had gotten to her house. It was the first time he had ever stayed overnight.

When Elsie finished the story, she realized Jack was snoring against her ear. She laid him down carefully and covered him with a blanket.

"Sleep well, little love," Elsie murmured.

She walked out into their main living space and found Charles reading a book by the fire. Elsie took a seat next to him on the settee. It was then that she broke down again. Charles quickly set his book next to him and gathered his wife into his arms.

"Elsie," he whispered softly. "Just let it all out." And Elsie did just that. The weight of the day spilled out of her eyes. She was so terrified that she was going to lose Anna.

Sitting up, she sniffled. "I…I'm scared, Charlie. It's very early for the baby. If Anna loses that baby….."

"Shh," Charles soothed. "You can't think like that. Let's go to bed, alright? You have had a long day."

-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-

In the middle of the night, a loud cry woke both Elsie and Charles up. They both shot up, unaware of what time it was and what was making that noise. That was when Elsie remembered Jack was staying with them. She slid out of their bed and rushed toward the guest room.

When she opened the door, Jack was sitting up on the bed, crying harshly.

"Want Mummy! Want Mummy!" Jack sobbed. His little face was covered in tears and snot. Elsie ran to him and swooped him up into her arms. She held him tight and bounced up and down, in an attempt to settle him. But the boy only cried harder, trying to push away from Elsie. "Mummy! Want Mummy!"

"Here, let me try," Charles offered. Not getting anywhere with the small boy, Elsie handed him to Charles. At first, Jack's protests grew louder, but Charles just walked him down the hallway toward the main living area. He lit a lamp and pulled out a small picture of some flowers. The photo with the luscious flowers caught Jack's attention and he forgot to cry.

"Flowers," Jack stated, pressing his finger down on the photo.

"Yes, that is a lily," Charles explained. "And that one is a lilac. There's a rose." Charles looked up from the photo briefly and motioned with his free hand for Elsie to go on back to sleep. Elsie opened her mouth to protest, but a yawn escaped instead. Charles didn't have to be up for work in the morning, so maybe she should let him work on getting Jack back to sleep. So she went back to bed.

-X-X-X-X-X-X-

The next morning, Elsie was surprised to find the other side of the bed empty. Surely Jack wasn't still awake. She pulled on her overcoat and walked to the living space. A large smile grew on her lips. There on the settee were a sleeping Jack and Charles. Jack was curled up in Charles' arms with his thumb in his mouth.

Carefully, Elsie lifted Jack from his arms. At this motion, Charles awoke.

"Shh," Elsie said. Charles understood and sat up slightly, trying not to hurt his back by moving too quickly.

While Elsie took Jack back to his bed, Charles got himself up and went to the kitchen to start some tea.

"Well, Mr. Carson, looks like you and Jack are two peas in a pod," Elsie lightly said with a smile.

"He's a good boy," Charles gruffly responded.

"He is," Elsie agreed. "I think I'll make him some pancakes. Would you like some too?"

At that, Charles grinned. "Yes, please."

-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-

They kept Jack for a week and a half. Anna and Madeline were not sent home until Dr. Clarkson was sure they were strong enough for the trip back.

"Alright," Charles said, packing up Jack's little bag. "You be a good boy for your mummy."

"I will!" Jack promised. Charles twisted his lips and turned to Elsie.

"Are you sure Anna is up for this? Perhaps we should offer to keep him a few more days so that they can readjust with the new baby."

"I already offered," Elsie explained. "Anna misses Jack. She wants him home. But we can go by and help during the day some."

"Good," Charles replied. "Good. And maybe we can have him over some during the day to give her a break."

At that, Elsie's smile grew. "I do think you are quite enjoying little Jack, Charlie." Charles rolled his eyes.

"I wanted to help Anna and Mr. Bates, that is all, Elsie. Now here is his bag. Tell Anna I am glad she's home."

"I will. See you in a little while, Charlie. Come on, Jackie."

Jack grabbed on to Elsie's hand and the two made their way over to Anna and John's cottage.

As soon as they reached the cottage, Jack began to jump up and down with excitement. John was standing at the front door waiting for them to arrive. At the sight of his father, Jack rushed to him and wrapped his arms around his legs. John placed his cane to the side and bent down to pick up Jack.

"Thank you for watching Jack, Mrs. Hughes. We will never be able to repay you."

"No thank you is necessary, Mr. Bates. Jack was a good boy. How are Anna and the baby?"

"They are both sleeping, but doing well. I will tell Anna you asked about them. I know she'll love to have you over for tea once she's feeling up to it."

"Yes, of course. I'll see you soon, Jack," Elsie promised her godson. Jack pressed his hand to his lips, kissed it, and then placed it out for Elsie.

"Love you!"

"I love you, too, Jack. Be a good boy."

Then Elsie watched as John and Jack went back in the house, grateful that Anna and the baby were going to be okay.