Chapter 2

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Before Anthony's mind could clear. She shouted at top of her tiny lungs "Mummy!" the group turned at the sound

Edith immediately turned to the sound of her daughter calling to her, but what she hadn't excepted was who was carrying her daughter. 'Anthony! It's Anthony, her Anthony… No, not her Anthony' she thought. The world slowed and her vision blurred

They just stared at each other and the world slipped away, so that there was only the two of them

Anthony was brought back to reality by Marigold wriggling in his arm, he let her down and she ran to her mother. Edith leaned forward slightly, catching Marigold and embracing her, she lifting her up and closed her eyes as tears of relief run down her cheeks, just to have her little girl back in her arms

When she opened her eyes to look at Anthony, he was rooted to the spot, like a statue. The look on his face, was the same as the one he wore on the day of their failed wedding, one of utter regret and anguish

"Uncle Anthony? What's wrong?" Brienne whispered, concerned that all the colour had drained from his face, Anthony turned to his niece, as though she just popped into existent

Anthony looked dumfounded, not knowing what to say?, what to do? it was as though someone had a vice like grip around his heart. As his mind cleared, he could only say one thing to Brie in a strangled whisper "Edith". Jaime looked at his wife, puzzled. He knew that there was a story, but thought better of it, he'd ask Brie later

So two of them did the only thing, that they could think of, they plastered smiles on their faces and moved towards Marigold's family

"Hello. We're… Uh" Jaime trailed off as he didn't knowing how to introduce himself and his wife

Anthony cleared his throat, trying to get rid of the lump in it "This is my niece, Brienne and her husband Jaime. Jaime Lannister. Brie. Jaime. This is Lord and Lady Grantham and… Er… Lady Edith" he longed to look at her, but he just couldn't, it would hurt to much. He really didn't want see the look of utter disgust on her face because that's what she must be feeling as she stared at him and how lucky she was, not marrying him. Anthony felt sick to his stomach as he just stood there not saying anything. But what could he say 'Oh! Sorry by the way for walking out on you, all those years ago and leaving you humiliated, in front of your family and friends. On what should have been the happiest day of your life. Of our lives' his thoughts where interrupted by Cora

"Brie?! Little Brienne Tarth?, it couldn't be… Why… the last time i saw you, you where… only so high" Cora smiled gesturing to the same hight as Marigold, "You probably don't remember me?"

"Yes of coarse, i remember you, Lady Grantham. You where very kind to me, when i visited uncle Anthony and aunt Maude with my mother. I remember once, i went to Downton with mother and auntie Maude to have tea and play with Mary, but Mary didn't like playing with me, you felt sorry for me, so you gave me an extra biscuit, to make me feel better"

Brienne smiled, Cora stepped forward smiled and hugged her, "I remember that as well, you where such a sweet natured child. And look at you… Now married and you have a little one on the why" Brienne returned her smile, smoothing her hand over her swollen belly

"Yes. I'm very blessed"

"Wait a moment… Lannister? You wouldn't happen to be Lord Tywin Lannister's son?" asked Robert

"Yes… Yes, i am. Did you know my father?"

"I only met him a couple of times and he… he… left quite an impression… one of strong opinions and authority" Jaime smiled at the very apt description of his father "Lord Grantham, that's a very diplomatic way of describing my father. He was all those things and MORE…" Jaime put an effuses on the word more.

The conversation lulled a bit. Robert wished he hadn't said, what he'd just said but he continued anyway "I read about your father's passing, I'm truly sorry for your lose, please accept my sincere condolences" Robert said earnestly

Jaime wanted to ease Robert of his unease and said "Thank you. Lord Grantham, that's very kind of you"

Cora's attention was caught by her grandson George, running to hug Marigold. George was closely followed by Mary, when Anthony saw George he was reminded of Matthew straight away, the little boy had his fathers blonde hair, blue eyes and the same smile. Mary slinked up towards the small group, if truth be told, she looked actually shocked when her eyes landed on Anthony

Anthony couldn't stand it any longer and now with Mary joining them, he had to go. He cleared his throat again and said "I hate to interrupt but, as glad as i am that mother and child have been reunited. We really must be going, we have a dinner to go to. The Calendar-Beckett's are throwing a dinner party and we all know how Claudia can get when you arrive late… It was very nice to see you all again, goodbye Lord and Lady Grantham, Lady Mary and… Lady Edith" he said, before anyone could say anything, he spun on his heels and headed back towards the cemetery, where his chauffeur waited near his old faithful Rolls Royce, smoking. Brienne and Jaime said their goodbyes and followed Anthony

Anthony was stopped abruptly by a little hand on the cuff of his coat, he turned to Marigold's enormous eyes stare up at him, she tugged him down, so he knelt down to the little one and smiled "Ta,Ta little Miss Mari" he took her tiny hand in his and kissed the back of it, she giggled at what he did "Bye, Bye Anteee" he chuckled and then straightened up, touched the top of her head and returned on his journey back to his car, not before chancing a glance at Edith, who was still staring at him, her expression was unreadable

A&E

Edith's journey back to Downton was spent kissing and cuddling Marigold, she really didn't know what she would have done, if something had happened to her. She was thankful to have the car all to herself, as she quietly sobbed

She just couldn't stop thinking about Anthony, he looked so thin when he retuned from the war, but now he looked positively ghostly, all the colour was gone from his face and hair, his clothes just hung off of his tall frame and he looked like he hadn't had a decent night's sleep in the past five years, the only things that remained the same was his eyes, still blue as the sea and soulful, just like his niece's

Through the years that they had been apart, even when she was with Michael, Anthony still lurked in the back of her mind… 'where he was and what he was doing' not that she didn't love Michael, she loved him very much, he had helped her flourish and he'd given her the most precious gift ever, her little girl. Edith kissed Marigold's head as the little girl played with her stuffed rabbit

"Mummy, cry?" Edith swiped her tears away and then blow out the breath she didn't know, she was holding and smiled down at her little girl and kissed the top of her daughters head

"Mummy's not sad. She's just so happy to have you back"