Author's Note: I AM SO SORRY FOR THE DELAY! To whole months? Bloody hell folks, I am a bad person. Sorry! *ducks under table* PLEASE REVIEW! And I will DEFINITALY UPDATE FASTER!

Chapter 6

'Hey honey!' Brian Swire greeted Mary as she opened her door to let him in.

'Hey!' Mary said with false enthusiasm whilst saying to herself; I do love him, I do love him.

But when he kissed her she wished that it was blond hair, that flopped down instead of brown curly hair, that the eyes that looked at her so tenderly were blue, Not green...

After they had watched some boring movie, he asked whether he could stay the night.

'Ummm, actually I'm kind of tired for that...' Mary protested rather awkwardly.

'We don't have to do that, you know, I just want to be with you.' Brian said awkwardly. 'We haven't seen each other for a while.'

'I know honey, and Im sorry for that but I've been really busy.' she said, 'But I'd really rather be alone tonight.' She said.

'Shit Mary, don't you have any time for your boyfriend? Or are you just "too busy" to spend any time with me.' Brian asked angrily.

'You're acting like a child, Brian. Grow up.' Mary said.

'I'm not acting like a child, Mary. I just think that you have been avoiding spending time with me. Especially since we got home for the UK.' he remarked.

'What does that have to do with it?' she demanded.

'Bloody hell, you know exactly what I mean. Anyway, I'd better leave, bye.'

_

It had been almost a year since Mary had been back to Downton. She emailed once in awhile, but refused to visit, claiming that she was busy at work with the New York Times.

Matthew was worried, why didn't she visit? Was she alright?

As if she knew of his worries, Isobel brought it up at dinner once.

'How is Mary? It's been a while since she visited.' Isobel said.

'Yes! In fact, Mary and Sybil are bringing a friend to stay in 2 weeks!.' Robert beamed.

'Oh?' Violet said, tilting her head curiously. 'Are they bringing another boy who tries too hard to please? I do so hope that they're not bringing Brine, or whatever his name is, again, he was a dreadful bore, although he was rich...'

'Come, come! Brian was a very nice young man.' Cora said gently.

Violet was about to retort but Robert, sensing an argument, quickly ended the conversation.

'And what exactly is your profession?' Violet critically surveyed the young man in front of her.

Mary and Sybil had arrived earlier that day and they were now sitting down to dinner. They had brought Sybil's boyfriend, Andy with them. Isobel and Matthew had also been invited to dinner.

'I'm a car engineer at Audi.' Andy replied with a smile.

'Oh? and what exactly is your relationship with my granddaughter?' Violet asked.

'Granny,' Sybil said, 'He's my boyfriend!'

Violet raised her eyebrows. 'And did you know of this, Mary?'

'Yes, I did.' Mary said calmly.

'And you did not think to stop this folly? What on earth were you thinking? A car engineer? Really?' Violet said.

'Well,' Mary began, 'I won't pretend that I wasn't shocked, or displeased, but as I got to know him, I realized that he was very intelligen; and,' She said, earning a grateful smile from both of them, 'he's a democrat.'

'Are you a democrat, Mary?' Isobel broke tha silence after that extraordinary announcement.

'I'm independant, although most of my views tend to be more democratic than republican.' Mary responded.

'Ah!' Isobel exclaimed, 'Just like Matthew!' There was a mix of emotions to this: groans from Matthew and Mary, and smiles from everybody else, before they all retired or left.

A month later

'Mary!' Anna exclaimed excitedly as she picked up her phone?

'How are you?'

'I'm good how are you? Oh it's so good to hear your voice Anna, I miss you so much!' Mary said.

'So do I! So, how's life?'

'Not my life yet, yours first!' Mary insisted.

Anna talked for a few minutes until they reached her love life.

'You're going out with John Bates?! That's awesome! I knew it was a great idea to find you that job.' Mary exclaimed.

'Yeah I know.' Anna said quietly.

'What's wrong Anna?' Mary asked, concerned.

'Well, it's just that... I haven't really been in a relationship since high school with William, and oh I don't know, he's much older.' Anna said.

'Oh Anna! Do you like or love him?' Mary asked.

'Both?' Anna said with a laugh.

'Well then it's easy! All that matters is love, in the end!' Mary said.

'Speaking of which, have you ditched Brian yet?' Anna asked.

'Well, actually ummm he proposed...'

'WHAT? Why on earth would he do that? Bloody hell, you're only 23!' Anna exclaimed, but soon calmed down, 'What did you say?'

'I told him I'd think about it.' Mary said rather glumly.

'Mary,' Anna said firmly, 'Do you love him?'

'Well, yeah, I think so.' Mary said unconvincingly.'I mean, he's the only chance I'll get for happiness, the only one who'll accept my story, yet still love me. I don't really care whether I love him. He loves me, he knows my secret, it's honorable, and he's rich.' She ended sheepishly.

'Oh My God Mary,you didn't just say that. It's honorable? Seriously? You love Matthew, he loves you! And running away to hide in Brian's arms and avoiding him for a year won't change that fact! Matthew will still love you when you tell him about that stupid mistake you made years ago, believe me!' Anna said passionately.

'Oh Anna, did you have to bring Matthew into this?you're the best friend, I love you!' Mary said over the phone. 'But I got to go, Bye!'

'Bye, love you too!' Anna said, frustrated, before hanging up?

Mary walked into the club with a heavy heart.

They were playing 'Last Chance' by Maroon 5.'Matthew!' she exclaimed as she suddenly saw his handsome face get closer. As he approached, he started singing the lyrics.

I'm sure that he could give you everything

Stability and diamond rings

All the things I do not have

I understand you can't handle that

But for everything that I lack

I provide something you almost had

Hot flesh that you yearn to grab

Pit of your stomach you're still so sad

Oh, what you gonna do?

I'm in love with you

Don't you wanna dance?

This may be the last chance

That I get, to love you

Oh oh oh

He sang, smiling tentatively. He raised his arms indicating that he wanted to dance.

Mary gave in easily and he pulled her to him, closer than was necessary and continued to sing;

Out of sight not out of mind

You want the world, I'll give you mine

Cause your the girl I'll never find

And I'm the boy you've left behind,

I know you think you're satisfied

And God knows how hard we try

But if you showed up at my door

I could have given you so much more

He sang softly in her ear.

'Why are you in America Matthew?' Mary asked, once he had finally stopped singing.

'I'm taking a little holiday. Staying with Andy.' Matthew said.

There were a few moments of awkward silence until Mary suddenly said.

'God Matthew, I am so sorry, I ruined everything.'

'Its not too late to start anew.' Matthew said, his breath tickling her neck.

And then they kissed.

I know I don't deserve it but PLEASE REVIEW, and you'll have a chapter tomorrow night. I PROMISE...thanks for reading:-)