IF YOU WANT ME YOU CAN HAVE ME- PART 35

Hello my dear friends. Sorry for not updating yesterday, as I promised, but it wasn't possible. I had a difficult day yesterday, received a bad news (not about health issues luckily) and I had to process this information. I wasn't able to focus on writing. But today we have new day and it's time to move on. Thank you for all the lovely reviews, also the ones from the guests, to whom I cannot reply.

Fun fact: Today there is exactly six months since I've published the first chapter of this story-ideal time to end it. (I didn't plan it that way).

In today's chapter (the last one of the story, I'm afraid), we are going to go through Elsie's labor and we will meet the Carson twins. I want to sincerely apologize for not being very proficient at discribing labor, because I have never had one, so you will have to forgive me ;-) I hope you will like the chapter and the epilogue.

Things were going quite well in those recent weeks at Carson's cottage or as some preferred to call it-at Carson's love nest. Charles and Elsie were all ready for the arrival of their babies. Everything was well prepared for that. Charles along with Beryl, Anna and Miss Baxter, took care of everything, so Elsie could be calm that she will have all the basic equipment, once the babies will arrive. There was nothing else left to be done, other than to wait for the arrival of their little miracles.

That crucial moment arrived on Sunday, January 25th. Ever since the early morning, Elsie was feeling a delicate pains in her belly. They were light at first, so she didn't said anything to Charles, not wanting to alarm him-he was spending Sundays with her at the cottage now, thanks to the big heart of His Lordship and she was ever so grateful for that, because somewhere about two or three hours after lunch, she was sure that the labor has begun. She sighed deeply and neared Charles, who was sitting by the table and enjoying his newspaper.

"Charles, we need to call Dr Clarkson and Beryl"

Charles rose from the table so rapidly, that he knocked over the chair, in one moment he became as pale as the ghost.

"Elsie, is it? Are you? The babies..?"

"Yes Charles. I think, No..I'm sure that the babies are coming. Please calm down."

"Oh my God Elsie, we need to, you need to lie down, I will...You have to.." Charles was in a state of total panic.

"Charles calm down please. I will go upstairs now, to my bedroom and lie down. Please call Dr Clarkson and ask to him to come over as soon as he can and please call Beryl. I need her here."

"I will make those calls right away..Oh Elsie...It's really happening already?"

"It is happening Charles. Nine months has passed, so it's natural that the babies will be born. We both knew that. You need to calm down love. That's all I ask you now. I have a hard task to do and you just need to calm down."

"I will Elsie, I promise I will. Please go and lie down. I will make those phone calls. Do you want me to help you to go upstairs?"

"There is no need Charles. I will be all right."

"I will be right there with you. As soon as I will make the calls sweetie."

Elsie slowly went upstairs and she lied down, the pains were clearly getting stronger, but she didn't want to tell that to Charles, not to frightened him more than he already was. She was hoping that Beryl could be here soon to steady her. Charles made the calls and soon he joined her upstairs. He helped her change into her night dress and he sat by the bed, holding her hand. The pains were becoming more and more annoying and Elsie couldn't help herself, but to clench her fists and make quiet moans of pain. Charles took her hand in his and he was holding her so tightly, feeling that he would have given anything to take away this pain from her. It was heart-breaking seeing her like this.

"Oh Elsie, sweetheart..How can I help you? I feel so helpless. You are suffering and I can't do anything. It's all my fault. If we were more cautious you wouldn't have to..."

"Charles! Please don't do this now! We've made the babies and they are coming into this world. I will manage, you can't help me, just stay calm and everything will be all right. Give me a glass of water please.."

He hurried down and he brought the glass to her bed at once. She drank some water, but soon she was writhing on the bed, with the new wave of contractions...

"When is Dr Clarkson going to be here? I need to make sure that the babies will be safe.." Elsie held her belly protectively, while her face was frowning from pain.

"He said he'll be here as soon as he can. I can hear someone's knocking. Maybe that's the doctor."

"Go and open the door Charles. I'll be all right"

Charles went downstairs and opened the door, to find Beryl and Bill outside.

"We're here. I thought I brought Bill to keep you company Charles. How is Elsie?"

"So far she is all right, but the pains are getting stronger and Dr Clarkson has not arrived yet. Oh Beryl, she suffers so much. She is hiding it from me, but I know she is suffering. It's all my fault..I'm a bloody fool for..."

"Now, now Charles, no time for those kind of talk. You look like you are about to faint yourself. You are as pale as a ghost. Stay here, downstairs with Bill and I will take care of Elsie from now."

"But I should be with her..She needs me..."

"I can assure you Charles, that the last thing she needs right now is you. You will start to drive her crazy in a while, so please take my advice and stay here. I will be with Elsie."

"You better listen to my wife Charles. She doesn't like to be contradicted."-Bill said.

Charles smiled faintly and obliged. He and Bill sat at the dinning table, while Beryl hurried upstairs.

"Elsie...How are you? Oh bloody Nora! I can see that the situation is more serious than it seems.."

"Beryl..I'm so glad you are here. Charles was starting to drive me crazy, saying how it's all his fault!"

"It figures. Now he realized that. He should have thought of that before!"

"Oh Beryl, it hurts so much...I don't think I will be able to take it..."

"You will Elsie, trust me, you will. Can I give you something?"

"No, just sit here with me and hold my hand and forgive me if I will scratch your hand with my nails."

"Don't worry about that Elsie. You can massacre my hand and I won't say a word."

"When is the doctor going to be here?"

"I'm sure he will be here soon. Don't worry."

Beryl sat by Elsie's side and she took her hand. After a while, she began to be really terrified, because it looked like Elsie's labor was really getting at the advanced stage and the doctor was still not here. Beryl was squeezing her hand, wiping her brow, while Elsie's moans of pain begin to get louder and louder. She closed her eyes and she tried to think about something nice, go back to her childhood, to bring some nice memories, but all she could see in front of her eyes, was her mother's face and her ironic face expression, when she told her about the impositions of being a woman.

Beryl was there to soothe her, but at one point she started to loose her usual cheekiness, realizing that it was possible that she will have to deal with the babies all alone. Luckily, soon after that, she heard voices downstairs and soon Dr Clarkson was already in the room. He examined Elsie, with Beryl being present, as Elsie insisted that she needed her friend with her and told her, that according to him, the first baby will be here very soon, as she already had a full dilation.

Then the worst part begun. Dr Clarkson asked Elsie to push and Elsie thought that she is going to die out of this pain. It was like something was tearing her apart from the inside. She held Beryl's hand so strong, like she was about to bruised her bones and Beryl was determined to help her at any cost, so she didn't say a word about the pain that Elsie was causing her.

"You need to push Mrs Carson. You need to push harder. I can already see the head." Dr Clarkson was focused on bringing the baby safely.

"I can't Dr Clarkson, I can't...It hurts so much..Oh my God, my mother was right...That is awful..Why did I even.."

"Steady Elsie, steady..Everything is going well. Just keep on pushing. Few more minutes and the baby will be with us..I'm here with you.."-Beryl was trying to do whatever she could for her friend.

"It hurts so much Beryl. You have no idea. Oh my God, why does it hurt so much..I can't anymore..."

"Just keep pushing Mrs Carson, keep pushing, we already have a head outside, the worst part is over, just give me one more push, just one more.."

Elsie gritted her teeth and she somehow managed to give one more final push. She wasn't even sure how she did that. The pain was overwhelming, but soon she heard the cry and she opened her eyes, to see Dr Clarkson lifting up the baby.

"Congratulations Mrs Carson. You have a big and healthy son.."-Dr Clarkson was extremely happy, even though he realized that they are in the middle of the road.

"Oh my God. My baby. My boy...Please, just let me hold him, my baby.." Elsie had tears in her eyes, when Dr Clarkson handed her her boy, covered in plead.

"Beryl, do you see him? Do you see my boy? Oh, he is so beautiful...Come here sweetie, mummy is here.."

"He is lovely Elsie. So lovely. Didn't I tell you that you'll have a boy? My God son."

"Oh Beryl, please go downstairs and tell Charles."

"Yes Mrs Patmore, go on and do that and please hurry back. We will have to deliver the other one soon. Mrs Carson I'm afraid that we will have to work a little more here.."

"Oh Dr Clarkson no more..I have no strength..I can't.."

"Mrs Carson, you are doing great...Just few more minutes and it all will be over, I promise."

Elsie held her son, kissing his sweet, little head. Her son. Her boy. Hers and Charles's. She finally understood what a miracle of life meant.

Beryl quickly went downstairs to find Charles and Bill, still sitting by the table.

"Oh dear Lord, is Elsie? Is she..?" Charles was so pale and shaky.

"Calm down Charles. Elsie is all right. She just gave birth to a baby boy. The baby is big and healthy, just as you would have expected from your son."

"A boy...Boy? Oh my God, I have a..?"

"Yes Charles. A boy. As a B-O-Y. Boy. Son. They are both doing fine. And don't you dare fainting here!" Beryl exclaimed, seeing that Charles, almost fell over the floor.

"Can I see them?"

"Not yet Charles. Another is on the way. I have to get back upstairs. Elsie needs me. Please stay here with Bill. Bill will you take care of him. The man looks like he is about to faint."

"Come on now Charles. It's all right. You have a son. Elsie is doing a good job, you need to help her. Sit and drink some Sherry." Bill was doing the best he could to help Charles regained his balance.

Meanwhile Beryl went back upstairs and she saw the little boy, who was lying steadily in his crib, with a blue blanket, making quiet little, noises. Her heart was overwhelmed with emotions. Elsie and Charles little boy was so cute. But the job was not finished yet. There was still another baby on the way.

"Beryl you are back. Did you tell Charles?"

"Yes I did and he nearly fainted, when he heard he has a son. Bill is trying to keep him steady."

"I knew it, that's why I didn't want him to be here."

"He will be all right, don't worry. You have a beautiful boy Elsie..He is perfect."

"Isn't he? Oh Beryl, I can't do it anymore, I'm so tired...I...oh...Oh no...Dr Clarkson will you please help me, I want it to be end now.." Elsie was really at the end of her durability.

"Easy Mrs Carson. Easy. Everything is going really well. You are a very brave woman. You are doing a very good job. Just give us one more push. I can already see the head. The second baby is coming.."

"Elsie, keep doing what you are doing. It's great. Few more moments and the pain will end. We need to fill in the other crib, with another beautiful baby."

Elsie wanted to scream and cry, to shout her pain, but she had no strength to do that. For the moment she wondered, if all those passionate moments with Charles were worth such pain, but as soon as she remembered the pretty face of her son, she gained her power and she pushed, with superhuman effort.

"There it is Mrs Carson, there it is. We are almost there. One more push, one more. Yes! We have it. It's a girl Mrs Carson, it's a girl!"

"A girl? I have a daughter? Is she all right? Is everything ok Dr Clarkson?"

"Everything is all right." Dr Clarkson just cut the umbilical cord and handed the little girl to Elsie.

"Oh my sweet angel, my baby girl..You are so precious...Hello little one.." Elsie was so incredibly happy, tears were running down her face without any control.

"She is so beautiful Elsie..Now, you have one of each. You really done a great job. I'm proud of you."

Soon Dr Clarkson, with Beryl's help have cleaned the babies and covered them with plaids.

Elsie asked them to hand her both of her babies and she told Beryl to call Charles, to see the babies. He hurried on the stairs so quick, that Beryl thought that he will twist his ankle. He stormed into the room and found Elsie with two of their babies in her arms. She was so pale and exhausted, but at the same time he had never seen her so happy before. He got down on his knees, by the bed and Elsie looked at him with triumph on her face.

"Charles, I like you to meet our babies. This is your son on my right arm-Charles Carson junior. And on my left arm is our daughter-Amelia Carson."

"Oh Elsie..Our babies...Son and daughter...I..I simply can't believe this..Our babies... Hello my little boy and my little princess" Charles was crying openly, not being able to believe his happiness. Their happiness.

"Would you like to hold one of them Charles?"

"Can I Elsie?"

"Of course you can...Here. Have Charlie junior. But please be careful."

Charles took his son in his arms carefully. He looked at his tiny head, with dark eyes. He still couldn't believe, that it was his own son. His blood. His prince, that will carry on his family name.

"Oh Elsie, he is so sweet and he is got the cutest little nose. Luckily yours."

"That still can change Charles." Do you wish to swap now? And say hello to your daughter?"

Charles gently placed little Charlie in Elsie's arms and took their little princess in his arms.

"Hello my little, sweet princess. Your daddy will always love you and protect you. He won't let any man near you"

"That's an interesting perspective for our little girl Charles"

"Elsie, she is so tiny. And so lovely. She is like a mini you. She will be the prettiest girl in this village."

"I'm sure she will be. You can give her back to me now."

Charles gently handed the baby girl to Elsie and he sat on the bed, near his wife.

"Elsie...You did an amazing thing. You gave birth to our babies. And we have one of each, just like we wanted to. Elsie I have never been so happy in my life. I never knew that such happiness could exist. I love you Elsie. I love you so much..."

"And I love you Charles. So very much. Thank you for giving me the greatest gift of all-your love and these two, little miracles...There is nothing more that I want from life."

He lean to her and they've kissed with a long and loving kiss, while their babies watched them and learnt from the first moments of their lives, that they were created from great love, the greatest love that you could have ever imagined...Cause there was no greater love in the whole Abbey, than the one between Charles Carson and Elsie Hughes...

EPILOGUE

Two years later...

It was a sunny, June afternoon. The air was filled with warmth. The flowers were blooming, the birds were singing...The whole world seemed to be filled with calmness and happiness. Charles and Elsie were sitting on the threshold of their cottage, watching as their two little cutie pies were running between the rose bushes, playing with their favorite aunt Beryl and uncle Bill. The twins were now two and a half and they were both happy and healthy children.

Charlie was a quiet, but very active little boy. His sweetness always reminded her mother of his father. He loved the whole world, flowers, animals and everything that surrounded him.

His sister-little Amelia, was a fiery little girl, who was an apple of her daddy's eyes. She was his little princess, that didn't have any problems with curling her daddy around her little fingers.

Beryl and Bill were living quietly and happily on the farm, along with Daisy and Andrew, who lived with them, happily married and they were just expecting their first born. They were frequent visitors at the Carson's cottage, as they love to spend time with the little Carson twins.

Charles and Elsie were incredibly happy, but very tired at the same time. The twins were the best thing that ever happened to them, but sometimes they were truly grateful, when Bill and Beryl offered their help with the babies, so they could have some time alone. Today's afternoon was one of those times. When Beryl saw that Charles was hugging Elsie very close and kissed her hair, she smiled to herself, wondering how that was possible, that time and circumstances still hasn't weakened those love birds mutual passion. She felt that it was time to give them some privacy, so she kindly offered that she and Bill will take the twins for a walk to the forest, marking that it's going to be a long walk.

Charles and Elsie were watching all four of them, smiling widely. The happiness that surrounded them everyday was unimaginable.

"Beryl is so thoughtful. She understands that I need a moment alone with my lovely wife..It's been so long" Charles cuddled Elsie closely, peppering her face with small and sweet kisses.

"Mmmm...Mr Carson...That sounds a little risque..But if you are sure.."

"I've never been so sure of anything Mrs Carson.."

"Well then, Mr Carson. If you want me, you can have me..."

So that's all guys. That's really the end of the story. As I mentioned above. Today is exactly half year (six months that is), since I've published first chapter. I wasn't planning on writing such a long story. It was originally planned as one shot, but your beautiful reviews convinced me to transfer it into a multi-chapter story. I spent many happy hours writing it. Some chapters were easy to write and I was smiling all the time, writing it. Some were difficult to write and when I published them, I thought that they were awful. But in the end, it was really worth to spent so many months with Charles and Elsie. I have written many stories, but this one will always have a special place in my heart.

I want to thank some of you especially, for being with me and supporting me throughout all the process. Special thanks for: Chelsietx, Good Bo, BarbaraMan, Louise725,LC aka LC, Miss Maid,amadaluciano, ProfessorMMAD,foreverautumn99, The butler's wife,pleasantlyfurrygalaxy,joaniefan and all the guest reviews. Thank you from the bottom of my heart guys. If it wasn't for you, I wouldn't have written this story for so long. See you soon and please follow my other stories, I still have plenty of other ideas. Maybe somewhere along the way, I will find a time to write another multi-chapter fanfiction. I sincerely hope, that you had fun spending time with our beloved Chelsie. I certainly had. Stay safe and see you again!