A/N - This story is set after the season two finale (the Christmas special). It is going to be mostly a Mary/Matthew fiction, mostly brought from Matthews perspective, though not entirely. I hope you enjoy and truly look forward to your feedback. I have been away from the fan fiction world for awhile now and am excited to dive back in. Thank you all for reading!

The Burden of Revelation

Darkness had settled. The silence was deafening. Shivers invaded, and pain overwhelmed.

Matthew Crawley felt as though he would never be able to stop smiling. As he made his way up to the Abbey, he began to realize that everyone was likely to see right through him. He had wanted this announcement to be a surprise. Rather, they had wanted it to be a surprise.

The family had all gathered for dinner that evening. It had only taken a few glances between them, when understanding dawned on many in the room. Mary's face remained demure as always, but they could see the sparkle in her eyes whenever she looked towards Matthew. Matthew's easy disposition was heightened by the extension of his smile. Naturally, the family did not say anything, awaiting their moment of revelation, but still, they knew something had happened.

Post dinner drinks in hand, mulled conversation permeated the room. One voice, however, rang out in interruption.

"I believe Cousin Matthew has something he needs to say," the Dowager Countess announced. The room went quiet as all gazes shifted to Matthew, sporting a look of frozen surprise on his face. Mary gave him a quick glance as she took another sip of her drink. He had expected to see a mirrored look of shock; instead, he saw a gleam of teasing in her eye. Clearly she was enjoying this. It almost competed with the smug smile on Violet's face.

Matthew rose from his seat and moved towards where Mary was sitting.

"It appears that I do have an announcement to make." He took in a deep breath, knowing that while his life had changed irrevocably when she had given her answer, this was the moment that made their engagement a reality.

"There has been a great deal of change for this family of late. I do not know if I've appropriately expressed my gratitude for how you have integrated me into your family. I could have never envisioned my life being as it is today when I had first left Manchester." The look of pride on the Earl's face warmed Matthew as he carried on.

"The last eight years have been full of challenges for this family, with the last year having brought more tragedy and change. So soon after the war, I have taken the last few months to re-evaluate my life. With Sybil having moved away, and Mary having plans to go to America..." At this, he saw the faces fall.

Cora and Violet shared a quick glance of renewed disappointment. Isobel glared at him with the same fervor she had held for weeks while pushing him to fight for Mary. While Edith looked on with interest, he realized this was not a charade he could continue when he saw his cousin, his mentor, and now his future father in law look at him with uncertainty and the slightest glimpse of fear, clearly concerned that his heir, the man he had begun to regard already as a son, might leave Downton.

Last, he looked at Mary. He suddenly realized that he had wasted so much time over the years since they had met. While he would never admit it to his mother, he should have started fighting for her long ago, should have been honest with Lavinia earlier on in their relationship, and should have fought harder to pursue her after her initial rejection all those years ago before the war. Contrarily, those years had helped them grow into the people they were today - how much they had changed.

"At any rate, I believe I have finally determined where my priorities lie. Despite much encouragement to do this properly..." At this, he grinned at Mary. "but I believe Cousin Violet has forced my hand. So I need to apologize to you, Robert, for not doing this properly and first asking you if you allow me the honor of your daughters hand in marriage." A momentary silence pervaded the room. Matthew reached for Mary's hand, as she rose from her seat to stand at his side.

Embraces abounded. The rest of the evening extended in celebration, an elation that could not be diminished by Violet and Isobel's competition as to whom should get the credit for the match, or Edith's casual glances of jealousy when she thought no one would notice. After eight long years, the world seemed to have righted itself.

Wedding preparations began almost immediately. Cora was pushing Mary for early spring, knowing the two had waited long enough for their impending nuptials. Secretly, after two failed engagements and the entire Pamuk affair, she knew she could not breathe until Mary and Matthew were announced husband and wife. Robert had made the calls to get the documents in order for the marriage, as well as announce his daughters engagement.

Isobel and Violet did not hesitate to make their presence and input known on a daily basis, leaving Mary with little to do but stand back and allow each detail of her wedding be controlled by all except the bride. She had noticed how unnaturally quiet Edith had become since the announcement of her and Matthew's engagement. There was a time when she would have used this moment to bait her sister, but rather she let Edith deal with her feelings in peace. Anna remained at her side, though at more of a distance and distractedness than she had ever exhibited in all her years of service to Mary. Although her husband had been spared his life, Mary knew they still had a long journey ahead. Her impending wedding was not a priority for her, and Mary understood that.

Mary made her way into the hall, attempting to escape the argument that had erupted over whether they should be married at Downton, or at the local church. She was becoming tired of the constant battles between her mother, grandmother and future mother-in-law over the tedious details. In search of an escape for a precious moment of solitude, she left them to battle it out.

"What are they arguing over now?" Matthew's voice echoed as he made his way through the front door towards his fiancée. He leaned and gave her a quick kiss on the cheek, relishing in the fact that he could now demonstrate his affection that freely. She returned his greeting with a welcoming smile.

"Now it is a question of where we should wed. I am not certain they have gotten over the last battle over the flowers. If this continues, I do not know if our wedding will be able to take place this decade, let alone in a few months time." Matthew sighed.

"I'm sorry it has to be like this. This is our day, your wedding. You should be the one making the decisions..." he started. Mary grabbed his hand to stop him.

"It's alright." Mary said, with a reassuring smile. "They are excited, even though at times it is hard to tell. I am sure the wedding will be lovely, but what I look forward to the most is the marriage, Matthew. We have the rest of our lives..." She was interrupted as her father walked out into the hall from the library, his faithful dog at his side. His face looked worn and tired.

"Mary. And Matthew. I'm glad you are here. I need to speak with you both." The couple looked at each other with apprehension before following the Earl into his study.

"I hate to infringe on your happiness. In hindsight we may have foreseen this coming had we done this with more tact..." he left off, looking out the window at the clouds brewing overhead.

"I'm sorry," Matthew stated. "I am not sure I follow." The Earl of Grantham looked at the eager couple and sighed. He moved towards his desk and grabbed the papers. Without words, he handed them over to Matthew, Mary quick to read the headline over his shoulder.

Her story had now become public. And the storm brewing outside was only the beginning.