AN: Pure Chelsie fluff...because I was sad and couldn't sleep.

Elsie Carson walked briskly along the path away from the Abbey in the fading light. It had been a long and trying day. She was eager to return to her warm cottage that she shared with her husband. She had missed him more today than she had in weeks. She didn't know why just that something had been wrong and that something was her husband's absence.

Elsie soon came to the lane that led to her home. Her pace quickened as she caught sight of the lamp burning over the front door. Charlie always left it on for her when he knew she would be walking home alone. She couldn't wait to see him.

Pushing open the door she called out to her husband that she was home, but received no answer. Puzzled, she removed her coat and hat and then wandered into the sitting room thinking that he had fallen asleep while reading. There was a fire going making the room warm and cozy, and there was a book laying on the arm of Charlie's chair, but there was no sign of the man himself.

Elsie searched the rest of the ground floor until she came to the kitchen. The stew Mrs. Patmore had sent down with a hall boy earlier in the day was warming on the stove. She was removing the pot from the heat when she saw him through the window.

He was in the back garden in his shirt sleeves with his hands in his pockets and head turned up toward the sky. Elsie hadn't realized how worried she had been until she felt herself relax at the sight of him. She watched him for a while trying to discern his mood. She had no idea what had sent him outside at this time of night, but the easy slope of his shoulders told her that he was untroubled. She quietly walked outside to join him.

"Charlie?"

"They're beautiful, aren't they?" he said with his face still turned up to the sky. Elsie followed his gaze.

"The stars?"

"Hmmm…"

Elsie wrapped her arms through his and leaned her head against him. He was right. The stars were beautiful tonight. They were shining especially bright from the cloudless sky. She turned her head to place a kiss to his shoulder, hugging his arm close to her side.

"I missed you today," she said quietly. Charlie brought his other hand up to lace his fingers with hers. They stood in silence for a long moment admiring the stars.

"It's cold out here." Elsie felt his rumbling voice as much as she heard it. "Let's go inside."

Charlie began to lead them away from the garden, but Elsie pulled him back into a deep kiss. When they broke apart they held onto each other until they caught their breath.

"I love you, Elsie Carson," Charlie said pressing his forehead to hers. "And I missed you, too, but let's get you inside before you catch cold."

Smiling, Elsie let herself be ushered back towards their house. She squeezed Charlie's hand where it was still held loosely in hers. "I love you, too, Charlie."