Dear readers, I hope you'll enjoy this chapter. You'll recognize the quote and material borrowed from canon.

Half an hour later, the men heard the clamoring of the Crawley grandchildren making their way towards the library.

"Happy Christmas!" the three cried in unison, running into the room.

"Children, I know it's Christmas but you must behave" Edith lightly scolded as she followed along behind them.

"Happy Christmas, darling" she greeted her husband with a kiss to his cheek before turning to the baronet. "I'm sorry Anthony, they're just so excited about the snow."

"Please, allow them to enjoy themselves. I must admit, I was also happily surprised to see the snow when I looked out this morning." the older gentleman gave a crooked grin as he rang for Stewart. "I know you're having brunch with your family but I thought some tea, toast, and scones would tide you over and there's hot chocolate for the children."

"Excellent, we'll need to leave in an hour or so, but we'll be back in time..."

The strawberry blonde was interrupted by the shouts of three highly excited children who'd just discovered the sled under the tree.

"Mama, Papa, look" Marigold clapped her hands.

"Uncle Anthony, are those for us?" Sybbie danced about pointing at the gifts under the tree as young George hopped from one foot to the other in anticipation.

"How on earth did those get there?" Anthony feigned surprise, winking in the direction of the other adults. "They're certainly not for me. I'm much to old to go sledding" he laughed, delightedly watching all three dive in after the brightly colored packages.

"These are for me" George glanced curiously at Anthony, a toy soldier in each hand, "to play with?"

"Of course" the older gentleman puzzled, "why wouldn't you play with them?"

"Well, Donk has some just like these and I'm not allowed to even touch them."

"Donk?" Anthony was obviously baffled.

"While most men are referred to as either grandfather or grandpapa by their grandchildren" Edith explained, "Papa is affectionately called Donk."

"Donk" Anthony repeated as he threw his head back and laughed, "I'd love to see the look on Robert's face if I were to address him as Lord Donk."

"He'd be none too pleased I assure you" Bertie chuckled, "He's just now resigning himself to the children referring to him in such a manner."

Elated with their gifts, the youngsters, having thanked Anthony, were playing contentedly and sipping cocoa.

The baronet turned to Bertie, "perhaps now would be a good time? Stewart could keep an eye on them for a bit."

"A good time to what" Edith glanced between the two gentlemen.

"Why don't the two of you go ahead" the Marquis suggested, "I'll look after these three" he nodded towards the cousins.

"Go where?" the strawberry blonde stamped her foot in frustration, "would the two of you please stop talking as though I'm not in the room!"

"If you'd be so good as to come with me" Anthony smirked, "oh, and you'll need a coat."

Ten minutes later, the couple, trekking through the snow towards the out buildings, came to a stop in front of one which Edith assumed was used to house some type of farming machinery. Reaching into his pocket, Anthony handed Edith a key and once the young woman had snapped the padlock open, the two slid back the barn style doors.

"So" Edith grinned up at the tall blond mischievously, "you've finally decided to show me one of the new harvesters."

The older gentleman's brow furrowed in confusion for just a moment before he burst out laughing, "I remember now, it was the dinner of the salty pudding. You said, and I quote, 'I should love to see one of the new harvesters, if you would ever let me'. No my dear, if you had your hopes set on seeing a harvester, I'm afraid you're in for a big disappointment, although, I believe this shall more than make up for it."

Stepping inside, the baronet flipped the light switch illuminating the darkened room, "Merry Christmas, Edith!"

"The Rolls" Edith gasped in disbelief, "our Rolls!"

Anthony could not stop the warmth that spread through him at having Edith allude to the automobile as our Rolls.

"I can't believe you've kept it all this time" the young woman marveled, walking to the passenger side and running her hand fondly along the the vehicle's exterior before opening the door and sliding into the passenger seat.

Giving the slightest of shrugs, the baronet tilted his head to one side, "Couldn't bring myself to part with it, you see. Three, four times a year, needing to tend to business matters, I'd sneak back to Locksley for a few days, more often than not, taking the very latest train to Yorkshire in order to avoid meeting anyone. And" his voice quivered as the tears which threatened to fall transformed his azure eyes to a sea of mournful blue, "late at night or in the hours just before dawn, I'd have Stewart drive down the roads that I'd often traveled with you. Our drives were... are some of my very best memories and it was always pleasant to relive them." Slipping behind the wheel, Anthony leaned back into the soft leather, "Sometimes... sometimes I'd come out, sit behind the wheel, close my eyes, and remember how wonderful it felt to have you by my side, riding along, not a care in the world. I'd picture you, your glorious smile, the bright flush of your cheeks, the force of the wind blowing curls astray from underneath your scarf. On other occasions, I'd relive the night we went to the concert in York." Reaching down to take the strawberry blonde's hand, he brought it up, brushing her knuckles with the softest of kisses before clutching it to his chest, "Thank you Edith. Thank you for giving me so many wonderful memories."

"Oh Anthony, I cherish those memories as well. They were my greatest source of comfort in the years we spent apart. And, our drives, I believe, I treasured most of all. In fact, I'd say the main reason I was so adamantly stubborn about learning to drive was because it allowed me to feel a connection to you while you were away. And, I thought, hoped, that perhaps one day, once the war was over and you'd returned... sometimes I... I might be the one to drive you. But, then you came back injured and it seemed so wrong to ask such a thing knowing that I was able to enjoy a pleasure that you had been denied. I'm so very happy though" she nodded, her eyes glistening with tears, "that you've kept it. To know that it has, in it's own way, kept us bound to one another through the years."

"Good" Anthony choked out as he took the keys from his pocket, "because I want you have it."

"Oh Anthony! Truly! I... I don't know what to say. I... I should speak to Bertie first."

"He and I have discussed it already. I know it may seem as though I'm, once again, making decisions which concern you without your input but Bertie's been extremely understanding given the circumstances and I didn't want to offend him or get your hopes up without knowing whether or not if he'd be comfortable with the situation. Please try to understand" he implored. "Please don't be angry with me."

"I'm not angry, Anthony" the strawberry blonde stroked his arm, "I'm just wondering how I can ever repay you."

"If, before you return to Scotland, you were to take me on a drive" the tall blond teased, "then perhaps, I might consider us even."

The two sat quietly for a moment until Anthony swung his door open and stepped from the car.

"We best be getting back" he said, coming around to Edith's side.

"Yes" the young woman agreed, "we should be leaving for Downton soon. We'll be back tonight, though, and if Sybbie and George get their way, they'll be returning as well. Unless you'd like a break, in that case we could all spend the night at the Abbey and return tomorrow afternoon."

The baronet gave a nonchalant wave of hand, "I'll wait up for you."

Arm in arm, the couple set off towards the main house, absorbed by their private thoughts, with only the sound of snow crunching underfoot to fill the silence.

"That was very kind of you to give the children gifts" Edith murmured as they neared the front door. "If you were around them very much, I fear you'd spoil them rotten."

"I've always considered it a blessing to be able to give to children. They seem so appreciative of even the smallest gesture. I've often wondered how much greater a feeling it must invoke when one does for one's own flesh and blood." The baronet smiled sadly, "I like to believe that I would have been a good father. I certainly had enough love bottled away and no one to receive it. Well, there was you, and I definitely botched that, didn't I, sweet one?"

"Shush now" Edith softly scolded. "And, for what it's worth," she gave his arm a squeeze as they stood outside the front entrance stamping the snow from their feet, "I know, without a doubt, that you would have been the most wonderful father a child could ever ask for."

I simply had to include a chapter featuring the Rolls and the importance of the drives our lovely couple took. Wouldn't you agree? If you have time, I'd appreciate your leaving a comment. xx