A/N: Hello my lovelies! Well, I don't know about you, but this week I have been craving a bit of fluff... or maybe I should say, a LOT of fluff! Which, in turn, has influenced this chapter greatly and it has turned out to be one huge piece of candy floss! :)
I sincerely hope you are all enjoying the story, I'd just like to thank everyone who has reviewed/favourited/alerted this story. It's my first venture into writing, and to get such a lovely reception - is just amazing!
So here, for your daily dose of sugar-coated love, is Chapter 2! Enjoy!
Chapter Two
26th December 1923
I remember the day we told your grandparents that we were expecting you. We couldn't contain our excitement for long, and it was the following day that we strolled up to the Abbey some time after lunch. After Clarkson's revelation months before, they had quite abandoned their hopes for a grandchild – so when we told them, you can imagine how delighted they were!
Your Grandpa is a very good man, very strong and brave. As we shared the news, he could not help but shed a tear – but he would be very angry with me if he knew I had told you that, so you must promise to keep it a secret. I believe above all else it was relief, a great weight from his shoulders. A relief that there was at least hope for an heir for Downton...
Everyone was so excited for us; even the servants at the Abbey often shared their enthusiasm at the prospect of having a child running around to brighten the old place. You were the centre of attention long before you were born.
5th May 1923
"I... I – I cannot quite contain my excitement, please forgive me," Robert chuckled, as he swiftly wiped away the tear that ran down his cheek.
Cora reached out to Robert, placing a steadying hand on his shoulder and smiling at him with a twinkle in her eye that he had not seen there for many years. His heart swelled at the sight of his eldest daughter, happily married to a good and brave man, and now expecting the arrival of their first child. He considered, after all of the trials and tribulations, that the next chapter in their future was just beginning to be written and he finally felt that order had truly been restored.
However hard he tried, Robert could not help but think how perfect it would be, if the baby was a...
"Oh, Papa!" Mary beamed, closing the space between them from where Matthew held her proudly, and placing a tender kiss on her father's cheek. "We could not be happier!"
His daughter's words instantly silenced his – quite frankly – unnecessary thoughts, and he revelled in the pure delight of the moment.
Matthew walked forward and placed a hand on Mary's back, the gentle touch of his strong hand on her back was so soothing and she leant back into it. This beautiful scene was one which met the Carson, as he tentatively opened the door.
"The Dowager Countess, my Lord."
Violet swept into the room to find the family, huddling together in front of the great bay window of the library. Carson nodded to the Earl with a knowing glare, and promptly exited the room.
"My, my, what is on the lawn that is so captivating?" she supposed, that was the reason they were so closely congregated in such a grand and spacious room. "Well...?" she probed, raising her eyebrows in curiosity and observing the red-rimmed eyes of her son.
Robert cleared his throat, "Good afternoon, Mama –"
"I'm sorry, am I missing something here?" she interjected, glancing over at the rest of the family, who looked much chirpier than usual. Their faces all seemed to conceal some great secret, and she was growing impatient at being excluded from the get-together.
At his mother's incessant probing, Robert cut right to the chase.
"We have just received some excellent news, Mama! Matthew and Mary are to become parents!"
Violet's breath caught in her throat and she let out an audible gasp. Mary felt Matthew's hand squeeze hers slightly tighter than it had been; which made her smile. Violet observed the couple, standing side by side, their smiles almost reaching their ears. Everyone waited in silence for her reaction...
"That indeed Robert, is such excellent... excellent news!" With open arms, she stepped forward and embraced her eldest granddaughter and whispered into her ear, "Good things come to those who wait, my dear. Well done."
Those words brought tears anew to Mary's eyes and she sniffed and blinked them back. It was a few weeks after she had received that heart-breaking news from Clarkson, that her grandmother had invited her to tea at the Dower House. She called it a woman's intuition, but the fact remained, that she could tell that something was amiss with Mary. It had been over that small garden table, that her grandmother had first uttered those words to her with a gentle squeeze of her hand and an authoritative nod of her head.
She was right, Mary thought, and she nodded in recognition of the hidden meaning behind her kind words of encouragement.
Violet's attention suddenly switched to Matthew as she reached out and took his arm, pulling him slightly away from the rest of the congregation.
"Matthew..." she started, and Matthew held his breath. "Congratulations, my dear, dear boy!" She patted his arm and offered him a satisfied smile; Matthew exhaled a huge breath of relief.
"Now, there are a few things we need to discuss..." Violet led Matthew out of the library and into the great hall. Matthew shot a nervous look back at Mary, who just grinned at him cheekily and left him to her grandmother's doings.
Matthew didn't emerge again for quite a while, and Mary feared he might have been scared off by her grandmother. But almost at the exact moment she had questioned his whereabouts, the library door opened again and Matthew entered and rejoined the group once again.
"What did Granny want with you? I feared she may have scared you off –"
"Not quite," Matthew scoffed, before quickly adding, "I'll tell you later."
They decided to stay for dinner that night, making the most of the extra time to let the rest of the house know the good news.
After dressing for dinner, the first person on Mary's list was Carson. The ageing man had been like a father to her for as long as she could remember, and he had supported her over every hurdle she had faced. Catching him alone in the dining room, as he carried out his usual last-minute checks to the preparations for the dinner service, she seized the opportunity to tell him the news.
"My Lady... that is the best news I have heard in many, many years." The happiness in his heart was written right across his face; he felt as though he was expecting his very first grandchild. A tear slipped down his cheek, and he hastily reached to wipe it away.
"Carson, you needn't upkeep your facade as the respectable butler in all cases," Mary whispered, as she leant into his chest and embraced him so tightly. "What have I done to deserve someone like you?"
He smiled. "A butler always has his favourites, my Lady."
Matthew had the task of letting the servants downstairs, much to the delight of Mrs Patmore, who had always had a soft spot for the future Earl. His unexpected presence sent everyone downstairs into a fluster of panic, before they all ran to gather in the servants' dining room.
"I am terribly sorry for coming down here unannounced –"
"Oh, you don't need our permission, Mr Crawley!" Mrs Patmore interjected with a giddy laugh.
"Well, thank you Mrs Patmore, I appreciate that." He nodded, and wrung his hands together nervously. "I came to let you all personally know the news..."
Silence and anticipation hung thickly in the air and a sea of curious eyes watched him anxiously.
"Lady Mary and I... are expecting a baby!"
An orchestra of congratulations broke out among the servants, each wanting to congratulate him personally and show their excitement at the joyful prospect. The feeling of revealing their happy news to each new person filled him with a sense of such euphoria; it was like a drug and he was well and truly addicted.
Once work had finally resumed amongst the servants, Matthew made his way back upstairs and entered the library. Dressed for dinner and positively glowing, Mary sat on the settee between her Cora and Violet, sharing advice and information on the different things to expect during the pregnancy. Matthew decided to steer clear of the mother's meeting, and instead sought out the company of his father-in-law.
"Oh, Matthew! Do forgive me, but I just had to get a head-start on the announcement of the good news to the extended family and the press. I hope you don't mind."
"No, not at all! I can't quite keep it to myself either. You know, I even told the paper boy this morning!" he chuckled, and perched on a chair near to Robert's desk.
Before they had time to strike up a conversation, Carson entered the library and summoned them all to the dining room.
"Oh well. I guess the family will have to wait that little while longer!" Robert smiled at his son-in-law, before standing and moving through to the dining room with the rest of the family.
Dinner was a pleasant affair; conversation never strayed too far from the topic of the impending arrival or of the latest scandal doing the rounds in Ripon. By the end of the evening, Mary was absolutely exhausted and Matthew could see the slight wilt in her posture and fatigue in her eyes. Ever the father-to-be, he quickly sprung into action.
"My dear, are you feeling quite well?" he said, gently rubbing his hand in circles on the small of her back.
His touch was so soothing against the ache in her back, and she jumped at the opportunity to be released from their company.
"Yes, I think so. I am terribly tired though..."
"I think it's time I took you home; you need your rest –"
"Quite right!" Violet interjected, evidently tipsy on the sherry she had been enjoying in the light of today's good news. "Well done, Matthew. I am glad we have you to take good care of our Mary..." she trailed off.
Mary prised herself free of Violet's grasp on her arm, whilst Robert called for the motor to be brought around and the couple finally bid the party farewell.
When they arrived back at Crawley House, Anna followed Mary up to her room and prepared her for bed, with Matthew and Molesly following shortly behind into his dressing room. They had been living in Crawley House ever since they had married, whilst Isobel had graciously vacated and moved to a house in the village.
As he was changing, Matthew allowed himself time to reflect on the last two days. He had hardly had the opportunity today, being constantly dragged into conversation whenever he was released from another – though he didn't mind in the slightest. Matthew had noticed today, more than ever, just how happy Mary was looking – she was positively glowing. His chest shook as he sighed heavily, and he suddenly realised just how much having a child meant to Mary. Of course he knew it would be something any wife would want, and equally they both carried a responsibility of producing an heir to Downton...but not that long ago, it seemed like it would never happen for them.
And what if...? The thought finally struck him. What if the baby... is not a boy? He hated himself for even thinking it; he should just be happy for a healthy baby. But the fact still remained, that this might be their only chance for an heir to Downton. He pushed the thought to the back of his mind, not even daring to think about telling Mary.
Dismissing Molesly of his duties and bidding him a good night, Matthew crept down the landing and quietly prised the door open. He peeked around the door and tip-toed over to the bed, slipping under the crisp covers and curling in behind Mary.
The sudden warmth of their bodies against the cold night air sent goose bumps down Mary's legs, and Matthew ran his hand along her thigh.
"Are you warm enough, darling?" he said in a hushed voice.
Mary nodded, barely awake after such a long and tiring day. Eyes still closed, she reached down to take his hand and brought it up and to rest on her belly. He smiled at this new kind of intimacy, feeling so close to their future.
Suddenly, Mary shivered against his body and Matthew's protective father-to-be mind kicked in. He pressed closer into her back and enveloped her in his embrace. She felt his breath tickle the hairs on the back of her neck and she sunk closer into his chest. He felt the rise and fall of her chest start to slow into a steady rhythm, until she finally fell asleep in his arms.
His hand rubbed circles instinctively over her stomach and as he slipped into a sweet slumber, he was grateful for all he had been blessed with and excited for all that was to come.
26th December 1923
That was the best night's sleep I had for a long time.
I can still feel you beneath my touch, but to have you here in my arms is so much more magical. A feeling that I wish everyone could experience in their lifetime. The love that you instantly feel for this new person and the knowing that you would do anything to keep them safe – it is the most strong and pure of affections one can feel. I made a promise with you that night that I would always protect you from harm, and I will continue to do so...because I love you so much.
Oh look, your eyes are so blue.
A/N: Et voila! Thank you so much for reading - just to know people are reading is a reward in itself! But you know what be more of an incentive to write more? A review! :) Thank you my darlings!
P.S. I hope you are all keeping track of the tiniest details in the last two chapters - they might just have a part to play in the chapters to come. ;)
