AN: Hi guys! This is a one-shot that was inspired one night when I was listening to some relaxing music one night when I was trying to cope with my insomnia. I hope you like it x
Mary wandered through the halls of Downton. It was mid-morning, and a gentle sunshine penetrated through the windows. Yet the good weather did nothing to change her sombre mood. It had been one year today since she had lost her baby sister Sybil. It had been one year, but she still felt the same empty sadness that had come over her when the fits of Sybil's eclampsia had stopped and everyone gathered around the bed had realised what had happened. She smoothed her hand over her black dress and across the small bump gently protruding from her stomach. Matthew had been so nervous when Dr Clarkson had confirmed the pregnancy, and besieged the man with questions about the fatal condition that had taken her sister. Thankfully things were looking healthy.
As she approached the drawing room to read the book she had collected from the library, she heard the faint strains of the piano being played. Edith, she thought. All three of the sisters had taken music lessons in their youth. Mary had always done well at singing, but her talent was rivalled with the piano playing that Edith excelled in. She stood in the open doorway, listening. She recognised the piece as Debussy's Clair de Lune and her heart constricted. It was Sybil's favourite piece. Her ability never matched Edith's but she adored it and played it as well as she was able as often as she could.
Mary stepped into room, approaching the piano in the corner. She stood there for two minutes listening, until Edith finished playing. When she did so, she looked up and saw Mary. She smiled weakly at her elder sister. "She used to play it so much. Do you remember?" she asked in reminiscent tones.
"I was just thinking that," Mary replied. The music replayed in her head, Sybil's clumsy attempts as a child and Edith's beautiful rendition just now. She felt tears well up in her eyes. "I wish she was here with us," she choked out.
"Me too," Edith said simply, and Mary saw the glassy look glazed across her eyes flooded with pain and sadness.
"That's why you played it, isn't it?" Mary summarised. "Too feel close to her?"
Edith only nodded. "I can't stop thinking about her. The way she screamed until she didn't scream anymore and the silence afterwards. It didn't suit her. She was always so bright and colourful and lively. She was made to live."
Mary let her tears fall. Slowly Edith stood up from behind the piano and made her way towards her sister, sobbing as she did so. Reaching out she took Mary's hand. And then she pulled her sister into an embrace.
It didn't matter that the majority of the time they couldn't stand each other. Today was different. Today was the day when they needed each other as sisters. Today was the day when they loved each other. As sisters should.
What did you think? I currently don't have anything to write so if you want me to write anything, let me know. Also, please review. That would make my day!