The magnificent castle stands still in wait. A silence spreads through the many glorious halls of Downton abbey. One by one it fills each room in respect. Gathered in the servant's hall are all the loyal employees desperately awaiting news, as the close-family gather peacefully around the dowager's grand bed. Surrounded by her closest relatives, the dowager reflects on her noble life as she struggles to maintain her breathing. With Robert holding one hand and Mary clutching onto the other Violet Crowley says goodbye to her beloved house, and takes her last breath.
"My Lord, the undertaker is in the grand hall awaiting your presence" Carson announces as he enters the silent library. Standing aside he awaits for the mourning Earl of Grantham to raise from his desk. With a look of sorrow in his eyes, Robert moves, slowly towards the remorseful funeral director. As the countess joins Robert's side in the Grand Hall, they move into Cora's sitting room to discuss private matters. One of the many bells in the servant's hall demands its attention as Carson returns from the Grand Hall. Anna moves speedily towards the stairs as Lady Mary awaits her Lady's maid. As she arrives on the upper floor and gives a cheeky wink to her husband who is existing Lord Grantham's room. Anna hurries down the corridor until she arrives at her destination.
"My lady, you called?" Mrs Bates moves towards her Lady to assistant her into one of her many dresses.
"Yes Anna, I will be attending Lunch with Henry Talbot in the morning. I would like to wear the dress I recently bought. Please have it ready by the morning thank you". As Mary turns to her dressing table to inspect her look Anna moves back towards the door.
_ [Flashback]_
"Lady Mary may I have a word?" Anna asks as she moves cautiously by the side of the grand bed.
"Yes Anna go ahead."
"I have been experiencing quite a lot of sickness recently mi lady and I have been …"
"Anna? Are you trying to tell me you're pregnant? Have you been to see the doctor?" Shocked by the sudden outburst Anna tries to get to the point.
"Mi Lady, what I was trying to ask was if you would be kind enough to a company me to the doctors". Checking Lady Mary's reaction she awaits the answer.
"I don't see why you can't get Mrs. Hughes to take you …" Lady Mary casts a quick look up to Anna then returns to her jewelry. Quickly Anna butts in to reassure her Lady that the request doesn't matter.
"Yes, of course mi Lady. I will see if Mrs. Hughes is available. Sorry to have wasted your time." Almost immediately Anna heads towards the door but is only stopped by Mary who shouts for her to return.
"Anna, I am pleased for you if you are pregnant. God knows you and Bates deserves it, but I don't think I am the right person to ask to a company you to the doctors. Why was it you asked me?" Lady Mary now stands in front of Anna awaiting a response.
"I just thought, My Lady, that with your experience of previously having Master George I just thought I could approach you with this request. But I understand now Lady Mary I spoke out of term." Lady Mary looks almost shocked at the unexpected answer she got.
"Of course Anna I will come with you, I will see if my doctor in London is available…"
"No my lady that's alright…"
"No Anna, I insist. We can go in the morning and be back by Dinner. Don't worry it will be fine"
_[End of Flashback]_
"Anna, how's the baby?" Lady Mary asks while choosing a necklace. Anna moves away from the door and back towards her mistress.
"Me and little Bates is doing well My Lady thank you for asking" Mary nods in return as a sign of acknowledgment.
"You must look after yourself, so no heavy lifting? How far are you now, 5… 6 months?" Lady Mary turns to Anna in interest of the answer. Mary glances down to the now showing bump what holds Anna's baby.
"I am 6 months now my Lady and Mr. Bates is taking very good care of me my Lady". Lady Mary nods once more and Anna takes this as her dismissal so she grabs the clothing on the bed and heads towards the Servants quarters down below. When suddenly she hears the front doors bell.
"We will have to advertise for a new Lady's maid for Mary." The Earl of Grantham states as he sits at his desk in the Library. With Cora placed on his left he turns towards her waiting for her agreement.
"Why? Is Anna leaving?" Cora asks shocked as she knows the bond between Mary and Anna, which is closer than she ever got with O'Brien.
"She's pregnant Cora; she will have to look after the baby at home. And she can't work at the moment in her condition."
"I am shocked with you Robert! I think Anna is coping extremely well in her condition and we can't just fire her after everything her and Bates went through." Cora gives Robert a complete look of disgust then announces that she wants to take a lie down. Once she leaves Robert paces the room thinking a bit too hard. When he suddenly hears the front doors bell.
Edith cannot keep her thoughts away from Marigold. In her mind Marigold is her whole world. Especially now that everyone has accepted it, over than Mary who found the whole thing hilarious. But Marigold is the only thing she has of Michael Gregson, her beloved, her soulmate. So her thoughts find her at the moment in the Nursery entertaining Marigold with the many toys her and George share. When her precious daughter acknowledges hers mother's distraction she immediately wants to be held. As Edith picks her up she distantly hears the front door's bell.
*Dingdong*. Carson jumps into immediate action as he rushes to answer the very magnificent front door. With his footmen behind him Carlson eventually reaches the front door. He swings it open and stood in the doorway view is …
