Summary: a story that imagines Anthony and Edith fought for their feelings for Edith at the wedding ceremony.
A/N: I've loved reading all the Anthony/Edith and Anna/Bates stories on here for over a year so thought I'd try and contribute.
Disclaimer: Downton Abbey is not mine.
"I cant do this" his tormented voice rang out. After hearing lady Grantham's mocking words just moments before he gave into his doubts and his fears. He was old and crippled and she was young, beautiful and pure. How could he take that from her and tie her to him for the rest of his life. "It's not right, you said so yourself" he turned to Robert, eyes pleading.
Edith looked at him, looked into his eyes and he felt calm for a moment, just for a few seconds everything felt okay and then the doubts resurfaced and he began to worry once more, began to hate himself all over again. He felt sick, felt the need to get out of this room where everyone's eyes were on him and they were all despising him as much as he despised himself.
"Might we have a moment in your vestry, Vicar?" Edith piped in trying to sound confident and at the same time trying not to cry for her world was crumbling at her feet.
"Of...of course Lady Edith." Travis mumbled surprised. "This way" Edith took Anthony's hand before he could bolt and the pair followed Travis he led them into his small office and left them quietly.
Edith took his hand and stared into his eyes "now, what''s all this nonsense about?" she said in a soothing voice.
"I'm old and crippled, I'll be no good as a husband to you" he whispered " you don't deserve to be stuck with me for the rest of my days, having to play more nursemaid and less wife as each day passes." He looked away tears in eyes "And then you'll be left a young widow, what use will I be to you in the ground?" he cried noticeably now.
"You do not need a nursemaid Anthony, I refuse to believe that you honestly believe those things, so what if you need a little help dressing these days, isn't that what your valet is for?" She sighed "you are only 45, you have many years left in you yet and if I am left a young widow, I wont be the first, the country is full of them after the wretched war. We have a chance to be happy my love, shouldn't we take it and damn what everyone else thinks." She wrapped her arms around his middle "No one else will do for me, you are the one I love and bad arm or no bad arm that will not change, I promise you that" she finished.
He looked into her eyes and saw the sincerity in them, felt the same feelings he had been feeling since that first ride in the car with her when he had realised he adored her, bent to kiss her and she wiped away his tears with her thumb.
"Of course you are right my sweet one, sorry about that really" He smiled at her " I love you too my dearest and I always will" He bought her hand to his lips "I believe we've a wedding to be getting back to" he whispered.
They walked back into the church hand in hand and took their places as if nothing had happened and they left the church that day as sir Anthony and Lady Edith Strallan.
A/N: so just a bit of fluff, I know that its really impossible and a bit too soppy for it to have happened that way but it cheered me up to be able to write it. Was thinking this might be the start of a multi-chapter fic but you will all have to let me know how you liked it first. Merry Christmas all.