A quick drabble for my bestie because I know she loves her good Carson/Mary moments.
It had been a long dreary month. Matthew was no longer here and Mary's heart felt so empty, it was only when she held little Reggie Daniel that she felt any happiness. His eyes were just as pure and blue as his fathers and his small fingers would grip her hand just like Matthew would have. It was also these moments when she felt most angry, when she would remember the physical pain of that day as well as the emotional. Mary would no longer be his Matthew and Reggie would never see her be that happy.
Her room was the only place she could find solace in letting herself be sad. In front of the others she put on the face, one of bravery and moving on but here she could let it out. Others could call her an ice queen, in fact Edith had but being perceived as strong was far better than weak.
"Mary, may I come in?" Anna's voice was light as she knocked and Mary gave her permission. Her lady's maid entered with little Reggie in her hands. "He seems to have waked and want's his mum." The baby was still so small in their hands, and it amazed her that he was theirs. Theirs, No he was just Mary's now and the thought was suffocating. "Anna, I need just a moment. Please take him to my mother and tell her I will be down soon."
"Yes M'lady." Anna wanted to beg her to change her mind but she always did what she was told. Another familiar face entered the room with a harder knock at the door. It was Carson, and he looked so very tired and sad as he asked if he could speak to Mary. "Of course Carson, my ear is always open for you."
He had always been her other father growing up and even now Mary knew Carson hurt for her. "With the risk of being to forward I wanted to speak to you. Do you remember when you were a young girl with the others? You would play around the grounds and I would have to come find you at all ends of the night because you wouldn't answer to anyone else?" Of course Mary remembered all the times; she would hide on purpose when her sisters would annoy her.
It was then that Carson began to retell a story to her that she remembered vividly but wanted to hear none the less. The girls had been much younger, young enough where they would still tolerate playing on the grounds together. Their cousin Patrick had stayed all summer with them and tagged along always, playing hide and seek among the old ruins on the grounds.
Carson reminded her that Patrick was quite the evil child and would everyone's things and Mary reminded him that Edith would help. "She was just as horrible Carson if not more." His voice went deep as he looked at her, his thick eyebrows bunching together. "Yes but you always knew so you were careful. M'lady you were so bossy with them that day, telling them where they had to hide. I remember seeing you upset after on the steps. Patrick had taken Edith's side and ran off with Sybil to play another game."
Mary remembered the day as well; she had been upset because she couldn't understand why anyone would choose to play in the trees over hiding. She remembered crying and Carson taking a seat beside her with a small grin, he was younger than and charming. "Mary, the others are just jealous they don't show such strength and leadership. You should never let anyone get you down like this. Now come on, let's dust you off and move forward. No more crying."
She realized now why he had begun to tell her that story, and she knew she needed to take his advice again. It was going to be painful but dusting herself off and moving on would be best for everyone, especially her. "Oh Carson thank you again, you always save me it seems." For the first time in years Carson leaned across for a hug and whispered "Anytime M'lady."