Moments to Remember

First off, let me say this: I love "Dinner at the Ritz", "Perfectly Wonderful" and "Worthiness"... Each of those have and or are tackling the conversation between Bertie and Edith at the Ritz... this is my take on it... I hope I don't step on your toes or seemingly copy any of your ideas... If I do, I sincerely apologize...

This was previously posted under the title "Conversations" and I got back to watching the series finale and I realized my timing was slightly off... So, I'm reposting it- the same story, but a few changes to the timeline and maybe a few added details. And since it revolved to more than just one conversation, I decided to change the title.

Chapter One: The Ritz

Edith Crawley couldn't believe the sight before her- a man on the verge of breaking down in tears in front of her. And she was the reason for the tears- the idea of living without her had brought this man to tears. She was still shocked to be sitting across from this man, but the shock was beginning to wear off and her heart was beginning to warm up to the idea of a reconciliation with Bertie.

Even as Edith felt her heart began to warm, she knew she had to bring up Marigold. She had lost him once over her daughter, and she couldn't bare to do so again. This time, things would be done truthfully. She knew she had to ask him what he wanted... what her heart needed to hear was the truth...

Bertie waited as the waiter delivered the champagne and menus. His eyes searched the face across from him hoping for a hint of acceptance. From the moment he saw her, he felt only resentment. It had been a whirlwind of emotions from him once he received the phone call from Mary... a long train ride to London... and once he arrived barely enough time to make it to the Ritz ahead of Edith.

Once the air had been cleared about how Bertie wound up across from her, he began to plead his case. Little by little, word by word, he began to see the emotions change as they swept across her face. There was hope for them yet...

Bertie could hear the unasked questions. He answered truthfully and stated that he wanted to marry her. It was the first thought on his mind in the morning and the last before he went to bed. Ever since he had last seen her at Downton, he had been lost- almost as if he had lost his compass, his guide. He had to find a way to convince her that he was telling truth.

With each answer, the conversation began to change. Bertie revealed his heart and soul, and Edith responded with more questions. He answered truthfully, even about his Mother, and then said the one line that his heart had been aching to say since he saw her again, "The only thing I'm NOT ready for is a life without you."

With that one line, the flame in Edith's heart began to burn for him brighter and stronger. She picked up her menu to find a dinner selection- as her heart raced to answer him in kind. She knew it was better to go ahead and get the dinner ordered so there would be more time for her to answer him truthfully.

Bertie watched her face for a hint of her response, but saw none. Following her lead, they were ready for the waiter when he returned. Each ordered their dinner, but refused to look at the other.

Edith finally looked up a few moments later. Her heart ached at the sight of Bertie's downcast face. She couldn't believe that a man was willing to fight for her- the forgotten Crawley sister. She was the middle sister, the unlucky in love one, the daughter who had gotten pregnant out of wedlock... and yet, the most humble, tender, patient and loving man was sitting across from her and was willing to tackle life with her.

"Bertie, I'm saying yes," Edith whispered as she reached across the table to stroke his cheek. At the words and gesture, Bertie looked up and smiled at her. "I'm saying yes to being your wife."

The relief that crossed Bertie's face was evident to anyone in the room. He tenderly took her hand in his and raised it up to kiss it tenderly. With tears still evident in his eyes, he choked out "I love you so much, Edith."

"I love you too Bertie," Edith whispered. "If you are sure you can take me on with all the baggage that I have to offer, I'm blessed to become your wife."

Bertie smiled and said, "Your baggage is now meant for both of us to carry. It's no longer your burden to carry. For far too long, you've been alone... but, from now on, we'll be together."

As he was saying this, the waiter returned with their food. Realizing this conversation deserved a far more intimate place, Bertie and Edith tucked into their food. The conversation soon turned to the trials and tribulations of a new Marquess learning to adjust to his role. Edith told him of her return to Downton Abbey for the wedding of Henry and Mary, and how the magazine was faring. Their conversation was light and easy. Once dinner was over, by unspoken agreement, the two headed to Edith's flat.

"So, what are the plans now?" asked Edith as she unlocked her flat. "I know we are getting married, but what next?"

Bertie smiled and leaned in and gave her a sweet kiss on the lips. "I've been wanting to do that since you said yes. Other than that, we've got to figure out together what to do next."

Edith smiled at the idea of doing it together. She smiled at her fiancee, and said "I think I need to call my parents and let them know the engagement is back on... where is your Mother now?"

"She's at Brancaster. Soon after Peter's death, she moved in and has been trying to dictate everything..." Bertie replied. "I told I had to be in London today and left before she could protest..."

"Today is Wednesday ... my parents should be able to make it to Brancaster by Friday. They can meet your mother, and then we can decide when to do an engagment dinner..." Edith speculated as she poured them both after dinner drinks.

"That sounds like a plan to me... What about next Monday to do the dinner? I know invitations will have to be sent, and our cook is a bear to deal with if she does not have a proper head count for dinner..." Bertie mused as he took a drink of the cocktail.

"I'd say it works for me..." Edith said with a smile. "Can we leave for Brancaster late tomorrow? I've got a meeting with Laura tomorrow, and I would hate to cancel it since I'm in London." At Bertie's nod, she kissed him quickly and said, "I'm going to go call my parents before it is too late."

Bertie watched his fiancee leave the room and smiled. It had been risky meeting Edith in a public place, but it had paid off. The next hurdle to cross would be his mother, but with Edith by his side, and knowing she was in his corner, he could handle it. He walked around the counter and found a piece a paper and a pen. While he waited for Edith to return, he could make a list of guests to invite to the dinner. He was finishing up the list when Edith returned to the room.

"You should have heard how happy Papa sounded on the phone..." Edith said, the joy evident on her face. "He was practically shouting with joy... and he didn't even take time to say goodbye before he went to tell Mama..."

"I'm so glad that they approve of our engagement," Bertie said as he walked up to Edith. He reached out and placed both of his hands on her waist.

"Mama approved of you the night you took over the plans for the tour... Papa came around as he watched us together, but you really had an ace in your sleeve when you became Marquess of Hexham," Edith said easily as she placed her arms around his neck.

The two of them leaned in and shared a tender, sweet kiss- much like their first that had taken place in the flat. The kiss turned more romantic as they both reveled in being back together and once again engaged. It was in every way the kiss of two lovers that had been torn apart and had finally been reunited.

"I must go," Bertie said- some moments later. As exhilarated as he was from being reunited with his love, the long day and train ride had started to catch up with him."Can you be ready to leave by two?" Edith nodded, and Bertie quickly kissed her again and whispered, "I love you, Edith Crawley- future Marchioness of Hexham." With that, Bertie turned and left the flat.

Edith closed the door behind him and smiled. She couldn't believe her change of luck. A dinner at the Ritz- one of the finest restaurants in London- had turned into a memory that would last a lifetime. She headed back to her room to begin packing and get ready for the train ride to Brancaster.

The timeline is kind of funky to me... and this is the best that I can decipher it... Edith leaves for London, visits the dower house and receives the invitation in the same day. Meanwhile, Mary visits the Dower house and issues the phone call... that leaves poor Bertie with a six hour train ride to get to London...

I upped the day to Wednesday for a reason... I'm doubting Edith and Bertie were there for too long without her parents. If they arrived late Thursday, it would still work for her meeting Mrs. Pelham that morning..The way the scene is played when Cora and Robert arrive at Brancaster gives you the impression that Mrs. Pelham and Edith had met, but may not be totally acquainted yet...