This ship seems to have taken control of my brain. There may be two or three more short chapters...we'll just have to see how it goes. i don't own these characters or anything pertaining to DA. FOREVER ANDITH!
Edith Crawley was at a loss. Christmas was just a few days away and soon she'd be on a train bound for Yorkshire. Her mother had insisted her middle daughter be home for the holidays.
"Christmas is meant to be spent with those you love, Edith" Cora scolded when Edith tried to beg off.
'Why should I attempt to take part in the festivities when most family members barely acknowledge my presence" she wondered. She knew exactly what would happen. It was the same scenario each time she went home.
"Hello dear, we're so happy you could make it" only to be cast aside for the remainder of her visit.
She could understand, to a certain degree, why she was so often overlooked when it came to her sisters.
Sybil was vivacious and outgoing. Everyone was attracted to her lively spirit.
And Mary, well, Mary had always commanded attention when she entered a room.
She was just Edith. Poor old, introverted, socially awkward, nearing thirty and still single Edith.
Yet, that wasn't the only reason she had no desire to resume her role as the Crawley family wallflower. In the last six months, she'd grown rather enamored with her neighbor, Anthony Strallan.
Upon moving to London, he'd been the first person she met and the only one to welcome her to the neighborhood.
She was aware the difference in their ages, still, she'd found herself drawn to him at once. He was tall, blonde, with the most mesmerizing blues eyes she'd ever seen! And with his adorable crooked smile and charming gentle manner, what woman wouldn't find Anthony attractive.
They had spoken only a few moments that first day, standing just outside her front gate, but Edith immediately sensed the older gentleman was just as introverted and awkward as herself.
Their paths began to cross on a daily basis. Their chats grew longer with each encounter, uncovering several similarities between the two. A shared love of literature and the tendency to prefer quiet evenings at home to nights out on the town, just to name a few. But the most surprising discovery, was the fact, they were both from Yorkshire and had come to London to make a fresh start.
Anthony had left years ago after a painful divorce from his ex-wife Maude.
Edith, just recently, in an effort to forge an identity other than the forgotten middle sister. The maiden aunt who'd care for her parents in their doting old age.
After a few weeks they met for tea on Edith's patio, an occurrence, which quickly became part of their afternoon routine.
Eventually Anthony worked up the courage to invite Edith to lunch. "I could" he suggested, show you some of my favorite cafe's, shops, and such."
"As a way" he continued with a blush, " you know, of helping you become better acquainted with the city."
Edith of course was thrilled at the prospect of spending more time in his company.
"I'd love to" she'd beamed.
Granny and her parents would have been appalled at her eagerness to accompany the older gentleman.
So now, Edith sat on her front steps feeling blue. Each passing moment took her closer to her family in Yorkshire and further from Anthony. A weary sigh escaped her lips as she considered her circumstances.
No, she hadn't been struck by the proverbial thunderbolt, but quietly and unexpectedly, Anthony Strallan had stolen her heart.
And now, the thought of being unable to see him during the holiday, of having to be so far from his calm comforting presence made her heart ache tremendously.