As always thanks for taking time to review, follow, or favorite. It means so much to me. A special thank you to all the guests whom I can't PM. And these characters do not belong to me.

Inside his apartment, Anthony was immediately restless. He missed the warmth of Edith's presence and the sound of her laughter.

Pouring a tumbler of scotch, he flipped on the television, hoping to drown out the silence.

Pulling Edith's gift from his pocket, he brushed his thumb across the smooth leather. Opening it to look at Edith's picture, he wondered what she had meant by 'wouldn't want you to forget me while I'm gone'?

He frowned, she couldn't possibly return his feelings. Could she?

But now was not the time to ask her. Was it? No, it was Christmas, for goodness sakes, and she was leaving in a few hours. Best to wait until she returned.

"That's just an excuse old man and you know it" he berated himself, " the truth is, you, Anthony Strallan are a coward! You're afraid of being rejected, of making a fool of yourself. If you don't speak to Edith, you'll regret it."

Racking his brain, trying to decide how and when to approach Edith, he kept returning to a remark Cora had made. He hated to admit it, but, he agreed with her mother, 'Christmas was meant to be spent with those you love'. And suddenly, Anthony knew exactly what he needed to do.

Across the street, Edith tried to focus on the last minute details she needed to take care of before catching her train. Unfortunately, all she could think about was Anthony. Realizing she wouldn't fall asleep any time soon, she picked up his gift and sank down on the sofa. She'd not noticed earlier but inside the cover he'd written:

'I thought this would help to pass the hours on the train, as well as at Downton, should things become too hectic. Also, whenever you read from these pages, I hope, in some small way, you might remember me.

Merry Christmas,

Anthony

Edith abruptly burst into tears. She was in love with Anthony Strallan and the wonderful evening she'd just spent with the charming gentleman only made leaving even more difficult. A week without seeing his crooked grin or bright blue eyes. Without hearing his voice. She glanced at the clock, the man hadn't left but thirty minutes ago and already she was miserable.

Looking out the window, she noticed it had begun to snow. Across the way, a light shone from Anthony's library, and Edith smiled, imagining him reading A Christmas Carol in front of the fire. So lost in thought was the young woman, she didn't hear the knock at her front door. It wasn't until the rapping became rather insistent, that she was drawn from her reverie.

What on earth?

"Edith, are you up? Edith, please, it's Anthony."

Rushing to the front door, Edith flung it open. " Anthony, what's wrong? Are you OK?"

He brushed off her concerns with a wave of his hand.

"Remember what your mother said about being with those you love at Christmas. She's right! And you should be here, with me. Because God help me, I love you Edith and I'm asking, no begging, you to stay. Please, my darling girl, spend Christmas with me!"

So determined was the older gentleman, to reveal his feelings before doubts crept in, that he failed to notice Edith's tears until he'd finished with his passionate declaration.

"Oh my sweet, I'm sorry. Don't cry. Let's forget I said anything. You'll go home for Christmas and when you return, we'll continue as friends."

"NO!" Edith shook her head. "No, no, NO!"

Well, old man, Anthony thought with dismay, now you've ruined everything. Just couldn't leave well enough alone, could you?

With clenched fists, the strawberry blonde wiped away her tears and stepped towards Anthony who promptly stepped back.

"Anthony Strallan, you idiot," she began, "I refuse to be just your friend because I love you too! So you..."

Suddenly, Anthony's lips found hers and whatever she'd intended to say was forgotten as he deepened the kiss. After a moment, he pulled away and studied her intently.

"What's going on inside that head of yours? Out with it", she demanded.

"You're not just saying that out of... pity?"

Taking a deep breath, Edith looked him in the eye, "I haven't much experience in matters of the heart but I'm pretty certain, if people said I love you out of pity, I'd be hearing those three words all the time."

"You are not to be pitied, Edith Crawley," he firmly stated, pulling her into his arms, "admired and adored, yes. But never pitied."

"And you wonder why I love you."

"So you'll stay, in London, with me?"

"Of course," she said with decisiveness, "I belong with you."

Anthony looked towards the heavens and mouthed a silent 'thank you'. He would certainly be having a Merry Christmas.