Chapter 50

A/N: Thank you as always for your tremendous support. I like to end on a nice round number and so 50 it is! I am off on my travels for the next couple of weeks and so this seems like a good place to end. If people would like me to, I can always continue this fic when I return but if not, we'll leave Charles and Elsie happy, content and in good health enjoying their retirement. Thank you again for all of the reviews and support x

"Right now Mr Mop, put that duster down and come over here," she demanded warmly from her bed.

Charles grinned happily; glad to be at the end of Elsie's teasing once more.

It had been four days since Elsie's collapse and she was feeling stronger by the hour. She was nowhere near her full strength and she was still very unsteady on her feet but she was sitting upright in bed now and able to chat to Charles and Beryl. Her best friend had moved back to her own home yesterday evening after staying with the Carson's since Elsie's fall. Elsie was so very grateful to Beryl; she knew that her friend had been an immense support to Charles over the last few days and she had cared for Elsie with the perfect amount of compassion and bossiness.

And then there was her lovely Charlie. He had devotedly nursed Elsie, with their friend's help, around the clock. He had fussed and soothed, checked and worried, lovingly caring for Elsie with every fibre of his being. She had been relieved to see the worry in his eyes gradually fade as she began to regain her health; the poor man had been frantic with worry in those early days and no matter what reassurances Elsie offered about feeling better, it had had little effect. It was seeing his wife getting stronger before his own eyes that had finally eased him. Yet he was still bustling around, doing all of the housework, making breakfast, asking her every five minutes if there was anything she needed. He was currently dusting the sideboard in their bedroom and had not stopped at all since he had risen at six.

"Come and lie on this bed with me Charlie, come on," she reiterated, patting the bed beside her.

He put the duster down and came to sit on the bed. He held Elsie's hand and smiled at her fondly and yet he still seemed as stiff as a board; his back rigid. Elsie wanted him to relax, to wind down; he had endured an awful few days and she wanted to comfort him.

"Lie down Charlie, I want to cuddle my lovely husband," she said sweetly.

"Elsie, I can't I ..." he began, about to list all of the things he needed to do around the house; he was determined to keep everything perfect for his wife, however he was met by her determined glare and he knew better than to argue. There's my feisty Elsie, he thought gratefully.

He lay down beside her; his head propped on his hand as he faced her. She lowered herself in the bed, so that she was lying flat against the pillows. He reached out and helped her, straightening her night gown and plumping the pillows to ensure they were just right. Elsie reached out and caressed his face gently.

"Come and lie on me Charlie," she said, pulling him towards her.

She knew that his favourite resting place was with his head on her chest so that she could cosset him in hugs and caresses.

"Elsie no ... I don't want to hurt you," he said anxiously.

"You aren't going to hurt me you great nugget, come here," she said, as he chuckled and speedily gave up the fight, although he took great care to be gentle.

He snuggled into Elsie's side and rested his head on his wife's chest. He then lay one arm around her waist, making sure that the bulk of his weight was not on Elsie. She heard him hum with pleasure as she then wrapped one arm around his shoulders to stroke his back and ran one hand through his hair, gently massaging his scalp. She lowered her head to kiss his hair as she held him.

"Thank you for looking after me so well Charlie, I know you've had a very difficult few days," she whispered.

She continued to run her hand up and down his back, making comforting patterns, as she repeatedly kissed and nuzzled his hair. Her loving kneading of his scalp and neck and her sweet caresses were making him sleepy. His face nestled blissfully against her soft and warm chest. He noted the beautiful scent of lemons on her skin from her bath the previous night; Beryl had helped Elsie bathe before she'd gone home.

"Ummm ... you don't need to thank me love, I am your husband, it is my honour to look after you," he sighed, feeling the stiffness and the knots in his shoulders easing for the first time in days.

"But I want to thank you, my man. No other husband on earth could have cared for his wife so well. I am so lucky to have you Charlie and I love you very much ... I hope you know that," she said, pulling him even closer to her chest and kissing his temple.

"I do," was his muffled response, as he kissed Elsie's chest softly through her nightgown by way of reply. She smiled gloriously as she looked down at her husband in her arms, knowing that he was beginning to drift off.

As she gazed down at her sleepy husband, finally relaxing in her arms, her lips quirked into a grin as she noted his attire. He was smartly dressed in his shirt, waistcoat and trousers, despite the two of them being alone in their own home and despite the early hour of the day. At least he has forgone his tie and jacket, she thought in amusement.

"Do you remember much of the first few days Els?" he asked drowsily, as she continued to muss his hair, calming him.

"Just snippets ... I remember my loving husband holding my hand for hours on end, I remember Beryl reading to me ... umm ... you gently cooling me with a cloth ... Beryl telling you off because you wouldn't rest ... I vaguely remember Doctor Clarkson being here ... you holding me upright as Beryl gave me my medicine ... you snoring beside me ..." she teased, giggling as she felt the rumble of his laughter against her chest.

"Oh and I remember you changing me into my nightgown ... and I think having some bother with the cuffs on my blouse," she smiled tenderly.

She felt his smile too, as she placed another gentle kiss to his temple.

"It was those bloody tiny buttons, drove me mad they did," he explained, as they both laughed.

"Above all, I remember feeling absolutely loved and cherished Charlie," she said sincerely.

She hugged him closely, feeling the love radiating from him too.

"Always Elsie," were his last words as he finally succumbed to sleep.

"Always," she repeated, closing her eyes to enjoy a little doze as well, her husband safely in her arms.