Epilogue:

~Of Christmas and closure~

Mary paced the halls of Downton, waiting for the guests to arrive. Her head snapped up when she heard the sound of the library door being opened,

"People have started to arrive." Matthew informed her. She went to join him in the hall and they linked arms, walking side by side to go greet to newcomers. Tom was already in the hall when they got there, talking to Mary's grandmother. He excused himself and ran over to where Mary and Matthew were standing.

"Have you seen them yet?" He asked. Mary shrugged,

"No. I'm sure they'll arrive eventually though. No need to stress about it. Has Rose arrived yet?" She asked, deliberately changing the subject. Matthew looked over at Tom and rolled his eyes.

"Not that I know of," Her husband said, "But we could go walk around and try to find her if you'd like."

"Wonderful. We can meet plenty of people along the way."

"Like the Doctor?" Asked Tom, trying to get the truth out of her; that she was anxious about the Doctor returning.

"If he comes he comes." Said Mary airily.

"I'd have hoped you'd be a bit more excited." Said the Doctor, who had snuck up behind them and was leaning against the wall.

"Doctor!" Exclaimed Tom.

"Still wearing the same outfit, I see." Said Mary, trying her hardest not to grin. She was, despite her protests, excited to see him.

"Yes, well, don't think I'd change because it's Christmas." He muttered.

"Oh, it's always Doctor this and Doctor that, what about me?" Asked Clara, jumping out from behind him. She was wearing a beautiful, sparkly red gown.

"You look lovely!" Said Rose, who had seemingly just arrived, which was evident from her red cheeks.

"Oh look!" Exclaimed the Doctor, "It's the dream team back together. We're the dream team. The best, the coolest-" Clara put her hand over his mouth and shook her head.

"No." she laughed, "Never say that again."

"Fine whatever." He muttered. 'SO, how's life at the Abbey?"

"Same as usual." Shrugged Mary, "no life changing events as of late."

"How thrilling. I was hoping you'd have at least one story." Said the Doctor.

"Oh, look! Here come the children!" Exclaimed Tom, scooping little Sybbie up in his arms. The nanny looked at him disapprovingly before handing Matthew a little baby boy who was barely a month old.

"No life changing events." Scoffed the Doctor. "So who's this?" He asked, gesturing to the little baby.

"This is George." Said Mary.

"And judging by the looks of him you were pregnant last time we saw you." Responded the Doctor. Mary shrugged,

"There wasn't a proper time to bring it up. And plus, I barely knew at the time." Mary said.

"He's adorable." Said Clara, walking over and letting George grasp onto her finger with his small hands.

"Thanks." Grinned Matthew.

"I'd hate to interrupt this wonderful conversation," Said Tom, "But does anyone notice how distressed Edith looks?" Rose craned her neck to see where he was looking. Edith was clutching a glass of wine and was looking around, as if she was looking for some kind of escape route. Matthew chuckled,

"That's what conversations with your grandmother do to you. They're terribly draining." He said.

I beg to differ." Said Tom, "We seem to have lovely conversations."

"That's only because she likes you." Said Mary, "I've no idea why, really. The chauffeur running off with her granddaughter. The scandal you two could have caused…" Tom laughed,

"She's been very into her garden lately." Said Tom.

"Once she finds something she likes she sticks with it." Said Mary.

"Like my mother." Said Matthew.

"Yes," Replied Mary, "Although I can never tell if she actually likes your mother or not."

"None of us can." Laughed Matthew.

"Speaking of your mother, how is she?" Asked the Doctor.

"As well as she normally is. Why?" Asked Matthew.

"No reason really, just the resemblance between her and my friend, Harriet Jones, is confusing to me." Shrugged the Doctor.

"Y'know Doctor, there are lots of people who look the same, there's only so many faces humans can have. Plus, they were born in completely different times, I'm sure there's no connection." Said Clara.

"I suppose you're right. The world is a mysterious place." Said the Doctor.

"It sure is." Said Tom.

"Oh look, here comes Edith!" Said Rose. The group watched as Edith made up some excuse and put down her wine glass, quickly losing herself in the people milling around.

"Ugh, save me." Groaned Edith, walking up to them.

"Whatever from?" Asked Mary.

"Our dear Granny." Replied Edith, "She keeps going on and on about these wonderful statues she found in a cemetery up in London and how she's been dying to get some of her own but it's a pain to transport such heavy objects and it's supposedly extremely expensive. Honestly, from how much she's described them I could probably carve her one myself." Matthew laughed,

"I'm sure it's not that horrid." He said.

"Oh, really? Would you like a forty minute talk on how to properly wash stone?" She asked bitterly.

"I suppose not." He responded.

"Statues?" Asked the Doctor.

"Oh yes, rather common." She replied.

"What's common?" Pressed the Doctor, dreading her response.

"The angel statues of course."

fin

So, remember how I said in the last chapter that this was going to be the end? Well... I lied. I'm writing a sequel! Which, if you haven't already guessed, has to do with weeping angels. Although not in a way you'd probably expect ;)

Anyway, this story was super fun to write and I hope you enjoyed it!